TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WTVA/USM Athletics) - Brett Booth had three hits and drove in a pair of runs as Alabama held off No. 21 Southern Miss late to beat the Golden Eagles 10-8 here Tuesday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
The Golden Eagles were led by Isaac Rodriguez, who tallied three of the Golden Eagles' eight hits, while Tim Lynch drove in a pair of runs.
Four different Alabama players drove in a pair of runs which included Booth, Georgie Salem, Mikey White and Kyle Overstreet as the Crimson Tide (4-0) broke open the game with a five-run fifth courtesy of two Golden Eagle errors opening up a 1-1 game.
It was Booth that started the big Tide rally with a leadoff double. A fielding error, though, by Mason Robbins in rightfield helped break open the frame as White added a two-run single three batters later and the Tide also scored runs on a fielder's choice, an error and a ground out in the frame.
The five-run fifth ruined a nice debut from Golden Eagle freshman starting pitcher Jake Winston, who allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk with six strikeouts over four-plus innings as he suffered the loss in the contest.
Alabama added another run in the sixth before scoring three more times in the eighth, the big blow coming from Booth who hit one off the scoreboard over the wall in left-centerfield.
Southern Miss (3-1), which scored in the first on a passed ball, rallied with two runs in both the seventh and eighth innings, and added three more in the final frame.
Down 7-1, Bradley Roney tallied a sacrifice fly and Chase Fowler knocked in a run with a single. Tim Lynch added a two-run double in the eighth and Dillon Day added an RBI with a fielder's choice, followed by an RBI double from Isaac Rodriguez, which also scored Day on the play due to an Alabama.
Tide starter Taylor Guilbeau (1-0) went five innings and allowed an unearned run on three hits and two walks while fanning seven in the contest.
The Golden Eagles return to action this weekend as they play host to the Southern Miss Invitational.
