by Hunter Dawkins, Owner/Publisher – editor@thegazebogazette.com or hdawkins@supertalk.fm

HATTIESBURG (GG) — The Southern Miss Golden Eagles (7-1) kicked off a hot start by run-ruling SEC opponent Alabama (7-2) 14-4 after two grand slams from Ben Higdon and Kyle Morrison Tuesday, February 24.  The Golden Eagles won for the seventh time in a row and defeated the Crimson Tide for the sixth-straight time at Pete Taylor Park. It was the first game Southern Miss hit two grand slams in the same contest since Danny Lynch hit a pair against Louisiana, May 20, 2023.

Despite a shaky start from Southern Miss freshman Dylan Causey allowing two runs from the Crimson Tide (including Mississippi native Bryce Fowler), the Golden Eagles only gave up a 2-run home run in the fourth inning while shutting out every other one.  Four Southern Miss players had multiple hits and four extra base hits.

Scoring Summary

After allowing 2 runs to cross the plate in the top of the first, Davis Gillespie knocked in Joey Urban for the first run by Southern Miss to cut the lead to 2-1.  In the bottom of the second, Ben Higdon began the onslaught with a grand slam giving Southern Miss the lead 5-2, which it would not relinquish.

Even following a two-run by blast Alabama’s Luke Vaughn in the top of the fourth, Southern Miss countered with 4 hits, 5 walks and a grand slam from South Alabama transfer Morrison for an 11-4 lead.

The pitching staff went on cruise control, not allowing any hits from the Tide and only a few walks.  Southern Miss then added solo runs in the seventh and eighth innings to end the game via 10-run rule in the eighth.

Gillespie drove in one of those runs in the eighth, while the final, game-ending run was scored on the Crimson Tide’s third error of the night on a fielder’s choice throw that was wild to second.

Bruce Littleton, the second of nine Golden Eagle pitchers, fanned all three batters he faced in the second inning to garner the victory in his collegiate debut.  Southern Miss outhit the Crimson Tide 13-4, with Seth Smith collecting three along with two each from Higdon and Morrison.

Next Up

The Golden Eagles now return to the road to Ruston, La., to face Louisiana Tech in a three-game weekend series. The first game of the set is Friday, February 27 at 6 p.m.

Photo:  Pete Taylor Park by Hunter Dawkins/The Gazebo Gazette via Associated Press.