USA Baseball Wins Fourth Consecutive Game With 5-1 Win Over USM
Matt Bell tossed 6 1/3 innings while allowing one run on two hits as he led the Jaguars over Southern Miss 5-1 in Hattiesburg Wednesday night.
Bell picked up his second win of the season as he struck out four and walked two to help the Jaguars extend their winning streak to four games. Brandon Hallford threw 1 2/3 perfect innings of relief with three strikeouts to earn his fourth save of the season.
Bell retired the first six batters before walking the leadoff batter in the third inning. A couple batters later Nick Dawson hit a two-out single to give USM a 1-0 lead.
In the top of the fifth inning Drew LaBounty led off with a single to center field then advanced to second when Davis Knapp got on base on a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt attempt. Bud Collura moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt towards third base. Hayden Jones then hit a single to right field to bring both runners home to take a 2-1 lead.
In the top of the ninth, leading 3-1, the Jags added two more insurance runs.
The 9-7 Jaguars will begin Sun Belt play this weekend when they host Troy in a three game series at Eddie Stanky Field. Game one’s first pitch is scheduled for 6:30pm on Friday.