THE RUNDOWN
DBU claimed game one of a Saturday afternoon doubleheader with a 3-1 win over Southern Mississippi at Horner Ballpark. Sophomore right-hander
Jacob Meador dominated the Golden Eagles' lineup, holding Southern Miss (10-4) scoreless in 6.1 innings of work while matching a career-high in strikeouts with eight.
DBU (7-6) pushed all three runs across in the second inning.Â
Luke Heefner started the Patriots' rally when he laced a 3-2 pitch from Ben Ethridge down the left field line for a double. After
George Specht was hit by a pitch and
Jaxon Holder walked to load the bases,
Jace Grady ripped a double down the right field line to score two. With runners at second and third and one out,
Blayne Jones grounded out to the right side to plate the Patriots' third run.
Leading 3-0 into the seventh, the Golden Eagles drew a pair of walks to bring the tying run to the plate with one out. With Meador exiting after 6.1 innings on the mound,
Bubba Hall silenced the Southern Miss threat when Rodrigo Montenegro lined into an inning-ending double play.Â
In the eighth, Hall struck out the side and handed
Chandler Arnold a 3-0 lead going to the ninth.
Making his first appearance in the closer role, Arnold surrendered a home run to Christopher Sargent and the tying run eventually came to the plate after Slade Wilkes reached on an infield single. Arnold would strike out Will McGillis and then got Carson Paetow to pop out in foul ground to catcher
Nate Rombach to record his first career save.
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
-
Jacob Meador improved to 3-0 to begin his Patriot career.Â
- Meador, Hall, and Arnold combined to strikeout 11 Southern Miss batters.Â
- The Patriots went 4-for-4 in the stolen base department.
INSIDE THE NUMBERSÂ
3Â - DBU turned three double plays in the win.
8Â -
Luke Heefner extended his hit streak to eight straight games.
4Â -
Jace Grady reached base safely in all four trips to the plate.Â
ON DECK
DBU will face Southern Miss in game two of their doubleheader at 4:15 p.m.
Â