Southern Miss defeated James Madison 8-5 in a comeback victory on May 8, led by Drey Barrett’s two-run home run that capped a six-run seventh inning at Veterans Memorial Park.
The game was significant as it marked the Golden Eagles’ fourth consecutive win and their tenth in the last twelve contests. The series is set to continue on Saturday.
Barrett led Southern Miss with his fifth home run of the season, adding a double and two runs batted in. Matthew Russo contributed two hits and two runs batted in as well. Down 5-2 heading into the seventh, Southern Miss sent nine batters to the plate. Ty Long opened with a walk, followed by another walk to Seth Smith. Joey Urban singled in Long for one run, then Davis Gillespie walked to load the bases for Russo. After a wild pitch scored another run, Russo hit a two-run double down the left field line to give Southern Miss the lead. Barrett followed with his home run to left center, completing the scoring for the inning.
Earlier in the game, Southern Miss took an early lead with runs in both the second and third innings before James Madison responded with five unanswered runs through five innings of play. Harris started for Southern Miss and allowed five runs (four earned) over four-and-a-third innings before JW Armistead and Josh Och combined for scoreless relief appearances. Colby Allen closed out the final three frames with six strikeouts—retiring nine of ten hitters—to earn his second save of this season and move into fifth place on Southern Miss’s career saves list.
Jaden Kinsler took the loss for James Madison after allowing four runs on three hits during his relief appearance.
Smith extended his team-high hitting streak to ten games by singling on his first pitch at bat.
