Box Score MOBILE, Ala. ? South Alabama's Miles Ethridge scattered five hits over 7.0 innings to lead the Jaguars (13-18, 4-9) to a 7-2 victory over UALR (8-22, 4-12) in game one of a three-game Sun Belt Conference series at Stanky Field.
The Jaguars took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first off a two-run single by David Doss, and tacked on four unearned runs in the fifth to go ahead 6-1. UALR retired the first two batters in the fifth inning, but a throwing error opened the flood gates as the Jaguars capitalized with a walk and three-consecutive singles.
Lance Baxter took the mound for Ethridge at the start of the eighth inning and closed out the win with 2.0 shutout frames. Ethridge improved to 2-2 on the year by striking out five while holding the Trojans to five hits and two runs over 7.0 innings. The Jaguars totaled 10 hits in the game, with leadoff hitter Adam Heisler going 4-for-5 with two runs scored and a RBI.
Junior Adam Champion (1-4) was saddled with the loss after allowing eight hits, four walks and six runs (two earned) over 5.0 frames. Freshman Brandon Welch was effective in relief of Champion, holding the Jaguars to two hits and a run over the final 3.0 innings. Senior Kody Kroll went 1-for-5 and drove in both runs in the losing effort.
The two teams return to action tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m.
