by Hunter Dawkins, Owner/Publisher – editor@thegazebogazette.com or hdawkins@supertalk.fm
MONTGOMERY (GG) — When you thought the game was out of reach, the #8 Southern Miss baseball team scored 5 runs in the bottom of the ninth inning with a walk-off grand slam from Drey Barrett to beat Troy 7-6 Friday, May 22 and advance to the Sun Belt Conference Semifinals. The Golden Eagles (42-14) were behind the Trojans for the entire game after an 8-hour rain delay, which canceled a loser bracket game and forced another game at a separate venue.
How it Happened
In the first 5 innings, Benjamin Stubbs led the Trojans from the bump with five strikeouts and no runs. Not until the bottom of the sixth when Barrett hit his first two run homer in left field off Stubbs did the Golden Eagles touch the scoreboard with a 5-2 deficit.
After recovering from a few jams, Southern Miss gave up another run in the top of the eighth inning when Troy scored off a double steal to increase their lead 6-2.
Following two straight singles and a walk in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Golden Eagles loaded the bases. Davis Gillespie gained an RBI after he walked, making the score 6-3. Then, Matthew “Bull” Russo struckout despite a questionable 3-2 call.
Finally, Barrett came up and knocked his second home run of the day out of left field and cleared the bases to help Southern Miss advance in the winners bracket.
Next Up
Due to severe weather problems, Troy will play South Alabama Saturday, May 23 at 9am in an elimination game. Following that contest, the winner will play Southern Miss at 12:30pm in the Semifinals at Dabos Park. Regardless of the result, Southern Miss will play Sunday, either in the elimination game at 9am Sunday, May 24 or the championship game at 1pm.
Louisiana advanced to play Texas State on the other side of the bracket in the Sun Belt Conference at 10am Saturday, May 23. The Ragin’ Cajuns beat Coastal Carolina 5-4 at Riddle-Pace Field in Troy, Alabama.
Photos by Hunter Dawkins/The Gazebo Gazette via SuperTalk News.
