Box Score

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Jason Hager tossed 5.2 innings and allowed only one run, while Zach Sterry collected two hits and a RBI as the Oakland baseball team (1-8) defeated Southern Miss (7-5-1), 3-2, Friday evening at Pete Taylor Park. The Golden Grizzlies earned their first victory of the season.

"Our young men played with enthusiasm and poise tonight," said coach John Musachio. "Little things that add up to big things made the difference. We made plays on defense, executed offensively with two strikes and our pitchers did a good job of throwing strikes. Jason Hager was outstanding."

Hager earns his first win of the season as he allowed five hits in his 5.2 innings of action with two strikeouts. Lucas Scocchia tallied his first save recording three strikeouts over the final 1.1 innings and did not allow a hit.

The Golden Grizzlies got on the board in the top of the first inning as Sterry hit a single to center field to drive home Mike Brosseau who led the game off with a single to left field.

Both starting pitchers would settle down as neither team would score again until the sixth inning when Oakland added two runs as Ian Yetsko and Brett Impemba hit back-to-back RBI-doubles to push the lead to 3-0.

The Golden Eagles fought back with a run in the bottom half of the sixth inning as Chuckie Robinson grounded out to Brosseau to plate Matt Durst. USM cut the Oakland advantage to 3-2 in the eighth when Ryan Ellis singled home Taylor Braley but were unable to tie the game as Nate Schweers and Scocchia were able to record the final five outs of the game.

USM's Christian Talley suffered his third loss of the season throwing 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on six hits.

Oakland will be back on the diamond tomorrow when it faces Southern Miss in game two of this three-game series beginning at 2 p.m. ET.

#WEARtheBEAR