March 23, 2008

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HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss took the third and final game of the Conference USA opening series against No.16 UCF with a 10-6 victory Sunday afternoon.

The Golden Eagles (14-6, 2-1 CUSA) plated 10 runs on nine hits in front of 3,030 fans on Easter Sunday at Pete Taylor Park

"This was a series we had to have heading on the road at Rice this weekend," head Coach Corky Palmer said. "I know it is still early but we have to win these games at home."

Keith Winstead led the charge at the plate for Southern Miss this afternoon, with a three-for-four performance, including his first home run of the season and three RBI. Bo Davis was two-for-three with a double, two runs scored and two RBI.

Brian Dozier added in two hits and three RBI, including a double. Corey Stevens and James Ewing both scored two runs a piece.

Freshman Todd McInnins picked up C-USA leading fifth win of the season, throwing five innings allowing only six hits and three earned runs, while striking out six. For McInnins it was his second win of the week after earning the win Tuesday vs. Southeastern Louisiana.

"Todd will always give you a chance to win and that is all you can ask as a coach of your starting pitcher," Palmer said.

UCF (20-3, 1-2 CUSA) struck first in the top of the second on a leadoff triple by Ryan Richardson, who came around to score on a infield ground ball RBI by designated hitter Tim Russell, for a 1-0 UCF advantage.

Southern Miss answered right back in the bottom of the second with three runs of their own. Keith Winstead singled to left field, then Kyle Maxie and Josh Fields both drew walks to load the bases without any outs. Drew Carson hit into a 1-2-3 double play, but Southern Miss was able to put together a two-out rally.

Corey Stevens ripped an RBI single to left field scoring Maxie for a 1-0 lead. Bo Davis followed with what would have been a homerun on most days was held up in the wind today and died before clearing the wall, but was good for a two-RBI double, scoring Fields and Stevens for a 3-1 Golden Eagle lead and chasing UCF starting pitcher Mitch Herold from the game.

Central Florida added their second run of the game in the top of the fourth innings, this one unearned. Richardson singled and went to second on a fielders choice and came in to score when Josh Fields dropped a high fly ball hit by Eric Kallstrom, cutting the Southern Miss lead to 3-2.

The Golden Eagles put three additional runs on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning. Bo Davis led off with a single and stole second base which put him into position to score on Brian Dozier's RBI double down the left field line. Keith Winstead followed with his first home run of the season, a two-run shot over the right field wall making the score 6-2.

Central Florida answered the Golden Eagles' three runs with two of their own in the top of sixth the off Southern Miss reliever Colin Cargill. Richardson scored his third run of the game after leading off the inning with a walk, Tim Russel singled to left field and came around to score on a fielders choice making the score 6-4.

Southern Miss retaliated with three more runs in the bottom of the sixth. Corey Stevens drew a walk and UCF's Mitch Houch hit Bo Davis and James Ewing to load the bases. Trey Sutton drew a walk and picked up the RBI forcing home Stevens and ending the day for Houch.

Brian Dozier laced a solid single up the middle scoring Davis and Ewing putting Southern Miss on top 9-3.

Central Florida had a golden opportunity to get right back into the game in the top of the seventh inning as Colin Cargill walked the first three UCF hitters to load the bases with none out. Coach Corky Palmer wasted no time inserting closer Tyler Conn into the crucial situation to ice the game for the Golden Eagles. Conn educed three weak hit ground ball, to end the threat, as Southern Miss was willing to trade the out for runs, with only two runs scoring.

Conn finished the game allowing only one hit over his three innings of work for his C-USA leading sixth save of the season.

Keith Winstead added an RBI single in the eighth inning scoring James Ewing for Southern Miss' tenth and final run.

The Golden Eagles will return to action Tuesday as they will face No.8 Ole Miss at Trustmark Park in Pearl, Miss. Southern Miss will return to CUSA play next weekend as they travel to No. 13 Rice for a three game series beginning on Friday.

-southernmiss.com-