March 1, 2008

Box Score: Miami (Ohio) vs. Southern Miss

LAFAYETTE, La. - The University of Southern Mississippi received great starting pitching for the third consecutive game, tonight by David Clark, to down Miami (Ohio) 4-1 in Lafayette, La. Saturday night.

Clark (1-0) picked up his first win of the season throwing seven and a third innings allowing six hits and one run, while striking out six.

"Clark threw extremely well tonight," head coach Corky Palmer said. "When he stays ahead of hitters and does not walk anyone he is a great pitcher and that is what he did tonight".

Wade Weathers came in relief in the eight with two runners on base and threw one pitch to get a double play. Tyler Conn picked up his fourth save of the season striking out three in the ninth. Conn has recorded 10 of his 12 outs this season via the strikeout.

Southern Miss (6-1) got timely hitting again tonight with Trey Cuevas and Brian Dozier both delivering RBI hits with the bases loaded in the sixth inning to put the Golden Eagles ahead.

Dozier was three-for-four with a run scored and two RBI in the game. Trey Sutton, Kyle Maxie and Michael Ewing each had two hits a piece as well.

"It was good to see Sutton and Ewing swing the bat well again," Palmer added. "They are both showing signs of getting back on track, which would be a big boost for this team."

Miami (1-4) was able to cross home plate first in the game in the top of the third. Catcher Nate Halm led off the inning with a double that split Drew Carson and Bo Davis in the outfield. Halm advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a wild pitch by Clark.

Southern Miss fought right back in the bottom of the third with a run of their own. Brian Dozier led off with a single to right field and stole second base before Bo Davis sacrificed him to third. He came in to score on Kyle Maxie's RBI single up the middle.

The Golden Eagles added all the runs they would need in the bottom of the sixth inning. Kyle Maxie led off the inning with a high-hop single to third base that JD Mynhier over threw to allow Maxie to advance to second. After Michael Ewing and Josh Fields drew walks to load the bases, Trey Cuevas entered the game as a pinch hitter. Cuevas hit a ball hard at shortstop Jordan Petraitis but he bobbled it just long enough to get the force out at second base but could not turn the double-play, allowing Maxie to score from third.

Chris Matesich drew a two-out walk and Brian Dozier delivered on his third hit of the day with a bases loaded single to left field scoring Ewing and Cuevas, making the score 4-1.

Southern Miss will rematch with Louisiana Lafayette tomorrow afternoon. The Golden Eagles defeated the Ragin Cajuns 6-0 Friday night. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.

"I am really happy to be where we are right now starting this road trip 2-0," Palmer said. "Lafayette will be hungry tomorrow, they are a good club and we have to come out and play hard."

-southernmiss.com-