By Staff
from combined reports
March 24, 2004
HATTIESBURG Jarrett Hoffpauir hit a game-winning single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning as Southern Mississippi defeated Ole Miss 8-7 on Tuesday night.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Beau Griffin walked and Ole Miss reliever Brian Pettway allowed singles by Matt Shepherd and Marc Maddox to load the bases. That set up Hoffpauir's game-winning single.
Hoffpauir finished 4-for-5 with five RBIs for the Golden Eagles (18-3). That included a two-run home run, his fourth of the year, that tied the game 7-7 in the seventh inning.
The Rebels (18-2) were led by Pettway, who was 3-for-5 from the plate.
In the fifth inning, Ryan Frith hit a two-run home run to give the Golden Eagles a 5-1 lead. It was Frith's eighth homer of the season, and it capped a five-run inning.
Charlie Babineaux hit a grand slam in the seventh inning, his fifth homer of the season, as the Rebels scored six runs to take a 7-5 lead.
Austin Tubb (5-0) earned the win by not allowing a run in the ninth inning.
Jeremy Zick (2-1) allowed two hits and struck out two batters in three innings for Ole Miss.
Both teams recorded 13 hits on the night. Southern Miss committed four errors in the contest, while Ole Miss made one.
Attendance was announced at 4,673 at Pete Taylor Park a new school record.
Ole Miss will return to action Friday evening when the Rebels open a three-game Southeastern Conference series at Alabama. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Joe Sewell-Thomas Stadium. The Rebels are 3-0 in the SEC after sweeping Vanderbilt last weekend in Oxford.
Alabama is 15-7 on the season and will host Morehead State today before hosting Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide is 1-2 in the SEC after losing 2-of-3 at Georgia last weekend.
Southern Miss returns to Conference USA action this weekend in a three-game series at South Florida. Friday's game starts at 6 p.m.