Posted on Thu, Apr. 17, 2008

PEARL -- Southern Miss used a four-run fourth inning to defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide 6-3 before 2,599 fans at Trustmark Park on Wednesday night.

Brian Leach had his best outing of the season, holding the Crimson Tide at bay for six innings, scattering eight hits, allowing only three unearned runs and striking out three.

Wade Weather worked two innings in relief of Leach, allowing only two hits and striking out two. Tyler Conn worked a perfect ninth inning to pick up his NCAA-leading 13th save. With tonight's save, Conn tied Daniel Best for the school's single-season save record.

Southern Miss wasted no time scoring in the top of the first inning as James Ewing drew a walk to start the game and Brian Dozier tripled to score Ewing for a 1-0 lead.

After Dozier hit the ball, he raced to third but the Bama outfielders threw their hands up as if the ball was lodged in the fence.

The umpires originally sent Dozier to second and Ewing back to third and took the run off the board. After a lengthy discussion among the three umpires, the runners returned to their original positions and the run counted for the Golden Eagles.

Alabama evened the score in the bottom of the second with an unearned run as Jake Smith reached on a error by Chris Matesich and advanced to third on two consecutive Crimson Tide singles.

Smith was forced home as Leach hit Josh Rutledge with a pitch, making the score 1-1.

Southern Miss took control of the game in the top of the fourth inning, adding four runs with two outs.

Chris Matesich reached base on a throwing error, stole second base and went to third on Anthony's Doss' single off the umpire behind the pitcher's mound.

Bo Davis cleared the bases with his second triple of the season, scoring Matesich and Doss. James Ewing singled home Davis for a 4-1 Golden Eagle lead.

Brian Dozier continued the two-out rally with a double over the bag at third base, scoring Ewing from first.

The Crimson Tide added two runs to cut into the lead in the bottom of the fifth on a two-RBI single by Jake Smith to make the score 5-3.

Southern Miss added an insurance run in the top of the ninth as Bo Davis singled on a bunt and Alabama's pitcher overthrew first, allowing Davis to advance to second.

Brian Dozier followed with an RBI single to right field.

The Golden Eagles will return to Conference USA play this weekend as they visit Tulane.