Tulane prevents a USM sweep on Sunday
By Staff
Jared Florreich / special to the Star
March 31, 2003
HATTIESBURG The Golden Eagles looked to sweep Tulane in the series finale Sunday at Pete Taylor Park. Instead, the Green Wave held on for the 5-4 victory, to improve to 20-9, 5-4 in C-USA.
The loss dropped the Eagles to 20-8, 7-2 in C-USA.
The Green Wave struck early. A first inning lead off single by Jonny Kaplan got things going. Kaplan stole second and third, and he scored on Nathan Southards RBI single. The Eagles got a RBI single by Clint King to even the score at 1 after one.
Tulane got two more in the second. Brian Bogusevic had an RBI single, and Turner Brumby had a RBI double to give the Green Wave a 3-1 lead. But the Eagles got their second run, on a wild pitch by
Tulane starter Cory Hahn scoring Jason Lowery.
The Green Wave added another run in the third on a Brian Feldman RBI single. The Eagles inched closer on an RBI sacrifice fly by Griff Israel that scored Brad Willcutt, but it wouldn't be enough this on this day.
The Green Wave added another run in the eight on Tommy Manzella's RBI sacrifice fly, to take a 5-3 lead.
The Eagles had their chances to win, loading the bases in the bottom of the eight. But unlike Saturday, the Eagles couldn't hit Tulane reliever Joey Charron. Charron relieved Hahm, and shut down the Eagle threat, as the Green Wave avoided the sweep.
Head Coach Corky Palmer was impressed by Charron's pitching.
Cory Hahn (6-1) got the victory for Tulane. Stephen Castleman (3-1) took the loss for the Eagles.
Southern Miss travels to Southeastern Louisiana on April 2, and plays at Cincinatti on April 4-6.