HATTIESBURG, Miss. (4-11-2008) ? Southern Miss freshman Todd McInnis struck out 10 batters in seven innings of work, leading the Golden Eagles (21-11) to a 6-3 victory over Arkansas State (15-19) Friday night in game one of a non-conference weekend series at Pete Taylor Park.
Arkansas State's three runs came in the eighth after McInnis was finished for the night, with the Tribe getting a three-run home run from junior Derrick Coleman to put the Indians on the board.
“We kept battling and kept fighting, but McInnis was the best we have seen this year,” said ASU Head Coach Keith Kessinger. “I don't think this is anything we will get our heads down about. We will come back out tomorrow and battle and try to get another win.”
Southern Miss went on top in the bottom of the first when shortstop Brian Dozier hit a solo home run to give the Golden Eagles an early 1-0 lead.
USM added three runs with two outs on the board in the third to extend the Southern Miss lead to 4-0. Arkansas State starter Chris Bullington retired the first two batters of the inning, but after Bullington allowed a pair of runners on back-to-back walks, designated hitter Trey Cuevas doubled to send both runners home. Cuevas came home on a double from left fielder Drew Carson to score the third run of the inning.
Dozier singled to drive in a run in the fourth and stretch the USM lead to 5-0, and after a 40-minute rain delay and another inning of action, Dozier added another RBI single in the sixth to make it 6-0.
Arkansas State's eighth-inning runs came after junior Guy Brown singled to lead off the inning and senior A.J. Prickel reached on a walk, setting the stage for Coleman's two-out shot over the left field wall.
Arkansas State got a runner aboard in the ninth, but USM closer Tyler Conn, the nation's saves leader, earned his 11th save of the season to close out the win.
Bullington (0-2) took the loss on the mound for Arkansas State in his first start of the season after making 14 prior appearances in relief. Bullington gave up five runs on eight hits and a pair of walks, with one strikeout in three innings pitched. Ryan Blackburn worked five innings of strong relief, giving up no runs on just two hits, with one walk and a pair of strikeouts.
McInnis (6-1) picked up the win for Southern Miss, giving up four singles on the evening without issuing a walk.
Coleman and two hits and drove in three runs to lead ASU at the plate, while Dozier's three hits and three RBI's led USM.
Game two of the series is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m.
