South Alabama lost 6-1 to Louisiana Tech in the final game of their weekend series at Stanky Field on Sunday. The Jaguars now hold an 11-5 record, while the Bulldogs improve to 10-7.
Louisiana Tech took an early lead with an unearned run in the first inning and extended it with a home run in the second. South Alabama responded in the third when Marc Stephens hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Ethan Melton, who had doubled earlier in the inning, to score.
The Bulldogs increased their advantage after another defensive error by South Alabama led to an unearned run in the fourth. Both teams were held scoreless until Louisiana Tech added two more runs late—a walk brought home one run in the eighth and a solo home run capped scoring in the ninth.
Jaxon Shineflew pitched four innings out of the bullpen for South Alabama without allowing an earned run. The Jaguars managed five hits overall, with Nathan Wood collecting two hits while playing first base for the first time this season. Outfielders Rett Johnson and Ethan Melton also contributed one hit each.
Daniel Gonzalez took his first loss of the season as starting pitcher for South Alabama, while Brooks Roberson earned his third win for Louisiana Tech.
Head coach Mark Calvi said: “We allowed four runs on Sunday which should be good enough to win, but we got out competed today. They were hungrier for a win than we were and that’s what I told our guys. This won’t be the last game we lose, but it better be the last game we get out competed.”
South Alabama will next face Southeastern Louisiana at Stanky Field on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m.
For more information about University of South Alabama baseball or updates about upcoming games, visit USAJaguars.com or follow @SouthAlabamaBSB on Twitter and Instagram or /SouthAlabamaAthletics on Facebook.
