Middle Tennessee hammers Jags, 17-1

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Middle Tennessee scored 16 unanswered runs in a 17-1 win over University of South Alabama baseball Sunday afternoon at Stanky Field.

The Blue Raiders pounded out 22 hits, and scored eight runs in the seventh inning to clinch the series.

Trent Miller went 4-for-5 with three RBI, and Justin Guidry finished 3-for-5 with a triple, four RBI and three runs scored to lead the Blue Raiders at the plate. Johnny Thomas added two doubles, two RBI and three runs scored.

Middle Tennessee (17-12, 5-4 SBC) broke a 1-1 tie in the top of the second inning on an RBI single by Dain McNabb. Guidry then increased the Blue Raider lead to 4-1 with a two-run single to right field. Miller pushed the MTSU lead to 6-1 later in the inning with a two-run single to center field.

Middle Tennessee added three runs in the top of the fourth inning to take a 9-1 lead, highlighted by an RBI double by Thomas and fielder’s choice RBI off the bat of Hank LaRue.

The Blue Raiders extended their lead to 10-1 in the top of the seventh on an RBI single by Lawrence, and added seven additional runs on RBI singles by Ryan Ford, Miller and Robert Lawrence, a two-run triple by Guidry and a two-run double by Rorex.

MTSU right-hander Jonathan Sisco (5-1) allowed one run on five hits in six innings, and struck out seven while issuing two walks to earn his fifth win of the season.

Jarron Cito (2-3) took the loss in three innings pitched, allowing eight runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts.

Nolan Earley scored the Jaguars’ lone run of the game when he led off the bottom of the first with a solo shot over the Jaguar Alley decks in right-center field. Earley went 2-for-4 with a homer, one RBI and a run scored to lead the Jags at the plate.

South Alabama (11-17, 6-3 SBC) will return to action Tuesday when it hosts Alabama in a 6:30 p.m. contest at Stanky Field.

-- Univ. of South Alabama