Sometimes, it only takes one good inning. Southern Miss had that in the seventh, plating six runs to take a 9-5 victory over UAB in the third game of the Conference USA Baseball Tournament.
UAB appeared ready to cruise to a first-day victory. The Blazers chased Ryan Belanger – who had been named the NCBWA National Pitcher of the Week earlier in the day – with a four-run fifth inning to take a 5-1 lead over the third-seeded Golden Eagles. A passed ball and a double by Ryan Keedy highlighted the inning for UAB.
With two on in the seventh, a throwing error by UAB advanced the runners and scored Trey Sutton. A bases-loaded walk was followed by a double by James Ewing that scored three for Southern Miss, who later scored on another throwing error. The win extended Southern Miss’ win streak to 11 games. Reliever Tyler Conn earned his first win of the season.
The Golden Eagles advance to a 7:30 p.m. EDT game Thursday against the winner of the East Carolina-Tulane game. UAB will face the loser of that contest in an elimination game at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday.
