Columbia
South Alabama
Harris Outduels Lowery as South Alabama Takes Baseball Series Opener, 3-0
3/11/2011 9:08:00 PM | Baseball
MOBILE, Ala. -- Columbia had some early chances against South Alabama's Garrett Harris but were unable to break through in the series opener. South Alabama broke a scoreless tie with two runs in the fifth inning and tacked on an insurance run in the eighth on its way to a 3-0 victory in a fast-paced series opener played in two hours and one minute.
Columbia looked poised to take an early lead in the second inning when Alexander Aurrichio ripped one deep down the right field that cleared the fence by 30 feet but was ultimately ruled foul. Aurrichio came back to drive one deep to right anyway that was picked off by Nolan Earley who made a nice running grab.
Nick Ferraresi followed Aurrichio and drove one deep to center field that forced Taylor White to make an equally outstanding play for the second out.
In the third, Columbia had another good scoring chance after there were two out. Jon Eisen dropped down a beautiful bunt single and moved to third on Dario Pizzano's single through the hole into right field.
On a 1-1 pitch to Aurrichio, Pizzano broke for second on a double steal attempt. South Alabama catcher Brent Tanner threw down to second, as Pizzano stopped between first and second and Eisen broke for home. The throw from shortstop Logan Kirkland beat Eisen to the plate, although the Columbia third baseman appeared to elude the tag, he was called out.
South Alabama struck for two runs in the fifth after the Jaguars loaded the bases with two outs on Jake Overstreet's two-run single. Nolan Earley's solo home run in the eighth gave South Alabama a 3-0 advantage.
Meanwhile, Harris quieted the Columbia bats, only allowing a leadoff single to Eisen in the ninth inning. He then retired the next three Lions via the strikeout to complete the complete-game four hitter.
Columbia and South Alabama will do it again tomorrow, Saturday, March 12 at Stanky Field at 3 p.m. Eastern, 2 p.m. Central.
NOTES:
Jon Eisen had two of Columbia's four hits in the game ... rookie catcher Mike Fischer threw out both South Alabama runners that attempted to steal in the game ... Harrison Slutsky worked the seventh and eighth innings for Columbia, only allowing the solo homer to Earley ... Dario Pizzano made an outstanding diving catch to end the first inning, saving a run with a runner at second base ... the game began a 10-game, four-team road trip for the Lions during their spring break.
