Jags fall short in Sun Belt Tourney

By David Hopper The Vanguard

June 26, 2007

Mobile, AL (CSTV U-WIRE) -- South Alabama lost their first game of the Sun Belt Conference tournament to No. 22 Louisiana-Lafayette by a score of 3-2 in 10 innings in front of 2,072 fans at Stanky Field. "That's a disappointing loss," USA coach Steve Kittrell said. "It was a heartbreaking game to lose. Joey pitched a whale of a game and deserved a better fate." The Jaguars held onto the lead for most of the game scoring runs in the second and third innings. The Ragin' Cajuns finally answered in the bottom of the ninth with two runs to tie the game, taking it into extra innings. In the 10th inning, Jaguar pitcher Chris LaGrow hit the first two batters, then Matt Peterson went to the mound. Peterson gave up a single loading the bases and then Peterson hit a batter to score the winning run. The Jaguars got on the board in the second. After Jernigan hit his 22nd double of the season, Ray Kruml advanced Jernigan to third with a single to left. Lance Heisler drove in the run with a single through the left side. David Doss, who was a perfect 4-for-4, ripped a double down the left field line to lead off the third. Chris Davis, who went 2-for-5, then batted in Doss with a single to the left. Joey Doan got the start for the Jaguars. Doan pitched eight innings giving up 11 hits and one run, striking out six and walking none. Danny Farquhar of Louisiana-Lafayette pitched eight innings giving up 12 hits and two runs, fanning five, and walking two. Matt Pilgreen (6-0) earned the win hurling two innings and striking out three. The Jaguars avoided elimination from the conference tournament Thursday May 24 belting 12 hits en route to a 5-3 victory over Louisiana-Monroe. "I was worried about the mentality of the team," USA coach Steve Kittrell said. "I think the tough loss (Wednesday) night took a lot out of them, but they hung in there." Pitcher Lance Baxter (4-3) received the win, fanning four batters, walking one, and giving up three runs in seven innings of work. Jared Jennings got the loss. Jennings pitched three innings, giving up four runs, walking one and striking out one. Louisiana-Monroe got on the board in the first inning with Kyle Suire scoring on single up the middle from Bo Bowman, who went 2-of-4. The Jaguars responded with two runs in the second and two in the third and never looked back. After Sean Laird reached on a fielder's choice, Ryne Jernigan hit a blooper to right-center advancing Laird to third. Bunky Kateon then laid down a sacrifice bunt and Laird slid into home plate to tie the game. The Jaguars took a 2-1 lead after Jernigan scored on a sacrifice fly by Ray Kruml, who went 2-of-3 with two runs. Clint Toomey ripped a line drive single down the right field line to lead off the third inning. Then with two outs, Joel Collins crushed an RBI double to the left-center wall to give the Jaguars a 3-1 advantage. Laird drove in Collins with a single through the right side. After a couple scoreless innings, Louisiana-Monroe cut the Jaguar lead to one with two runs in the sixth. Josh Morrison jacked a solo homer and Andy Jones batted in Travis Drader with a single through the right side. The Jaguars tacked on another run in the eight inning. Kruml blasted a double off the left field wall scoring Jernigan. South Alabama eliminated Troy from the tournament Friday May 25 defeating the Trojans 4-1. The Jaguars were led offensively by Clint Toomey, who went 3-of-3 with three RBIs. "Toomey's not the biggest guy, but he's one of our best hitters with men on base," said USA coach Steve Kittrell. Kevin Nabors (3-1) received the win. Nabors put in seven innings of work, giving up seven hits, one run, walking two, and striking out three. Ryan Ellison (3-4) received the loss. Ellison pitched five innings giving up six hits and three runs, walking three and striking out six. The first two of the Jaguar's four runs came in the second inning. After Ryne Jernigan ripped a double to right-center, Bunky Kateon struck out but reached first base on a wild pitch while Jernigan advanced to third. Kateon then went to second base on another wild pitch, and Heisler was walked to load the bases. Toomey then belted a single to left-center scoring Jernigan and Kateon. Following three scoreless innings, the Jaguars put up another couple runs in the sixth to extend the lead to 4-0. With runners on second and third, Toomey stepped up again with a RBI single up the middle. Doss then hit an RBI single to left. The Trojans only run came in the seventh. After two Trojans drew walks, Edgar Ramirez drove in the run with a single through the left side. The Jaguars were elminated with a 5-0 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette Friday night. South Alabama finished the season with a 31-24 mark. The Ragin' Cajuns went on to an NCAA regional eventually losing to Texas A&M. Louisiana-Lafayette finished the season with a 45-17 record.