April 8, 2001
Mobile, Ala. - South Alabama hit three home runs and scored in every inning except the second to defeat Western Kentucky 12-1 on Sunday.
The Hilltoppers (21-15, 6-6 SBC) got on the board first in the top of the first as Matt Fox (Sr., Louisville, Ky.) hit the first pitch from USA starter Tony Neal into left for a single. After Neal retired the next two batters, RF Nick Turner (Jr., Louisville, Ky.) singled to right on a hit-and-run to put runners on the corners. Fox and Turner then executed a double steal, allowing Fox to score and give the Toppers an early 1-0 lead.
South Alabama (27-8, 8-4 SBC) responded in the bottom of the first as CF Camron Likely led off with a double to right. After WKU starter Brian Houdek (Sr., Dyer, Ind.) walked the next two batters, 1B Nick Gretz grounded into a fielder's choice to score Likely. 2B Scott Calahan followed with a single to right to score RF Erik Smallwood and give USA a 2-1 lead. South Alabama added another run in the third as Gretz and Calahan hit back-to-back two-out doubles to give the Jaguars a 3-1 advantage.
The Jags struck again in the fourth as catcher Warren Hanna and 3B Brett Parker drew walks to start the inning. After LF Brantly Griffin reached on a fielder's choice and Likely struck out, Smallwood then homered to center to put USA on top 6-1. South Alabama added two more in the fifth off WKU reliever Mike Belch (Sr., Las Vegas, Nev.). Calahan opened the frame with a single and DH Kyle Stanky reached on a fielder's choice. After Belch got Hanna to fly out to center, USA got three straight singles, plating two runs to put the Jags up 8-1. USA added two more off Belch in the sixth as Merritt drew a walk and Gretz followed with an opposite-field homer to left to increase the lead to 10-1.
Smallwood homered again in the seventh off T.J. Johnson (Jr., Symsonia, Ky.) and due to the Sun Belt's 10-run rule in Sunday games, the game ended with USA taking the series finale 12-1.
Houdek suffered the loss for Western going 4.0 innings, allowing six runs on seven hits while striking out five.
Western will return home Tuesday for a 6 p.m. (CDT) game with Austin Peay.
-- WKU --
