Golden Eagles use big innings to crown Cougars, 10-6

Southern Miss will meet Rice in Saturday’s Championship game

Southern Miss knew it would be playing in Saturday’s championship game prior to playing tournament host Houston in a non-pool game on Friday evening due to East Carolina’s loss to Memphis earlier in the day. However, the Golden Eagles made sure they were getting there with some momentum and not by default, as they handed Houston a 10-6 loss in its final game of the season.

The Cougars (25-32) did jump on Golden Eagles’ starter James Myrick for two runs in the first via Caleb Ramsey and Zak Presley singles.

Southern Miss (34-22) responded with a four-spot in their half of the first. B.A. Vollmuth knotted the game with a two-run shot to left and Joey Archer made it 4-2 with a two-run single back up the chute.

Houston pulled within 4-3 in the top of the fourth when Chris Wallace homered to center.

However, the Golden Eagles responded with a run in the bottom of the inning on a Taylor Walker single to make it 5-3.

Southern Miss blew it open in the seventh when they pushed across five runs on just three hits. The Golden Eagles benefitted from two Cougars errors in the frame. Pinch-hitter Anthony Doss delivered a two-run double.

Ryan MacNamara (2-2) pitched five innings in relief to get the win. He allowed three runs—all earned—on eight hits. Seth Hester recorded the final out to get his first save of the season.

Starter Barry Laird (1-3) took the loss for Houston. He allowed five runs—all earned—on nine hits in 5.2 innings.

Southern Miss blew the game open, though, against Cougar reliever Mo Wiley. The Eagles scored five runs on just two hits in two-thirds of an inning versus Wiley.

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