Box Score HATTIESBURG, Miss. – SIUE committed five errors Sunday, leading to three unearned runs, as Southern Miss salvaged a win in the finale of a three-game nonconference baseball series.
The Cougars, who won the first two games of the series, dropped to 16-31 with the loss. Southern Miss improved to 26-23.
Southern Miss scored single runs in each of the first three innings, added two in the fourth inning, and another in the sixth inning to lead 6-0.
The Cougars' lone run came in the seventh inning on three hits. Denton Reed picked up the only RBI when he singled to drive home Devin Caldwell who had reached on a one out hit. Nick Lombardo also singled in the inning. SIUE managed just six hits total against four Golden Eagle pitchers.
Reed was 1 for 3 with the RBI. Caldwell was 1 for 3 with the run scored.
The Golden Eagles scored three times on three hits in the bottom of the seventh. Mason Robbins was 2 for 5 with four RBIs to lead Southern Miss at the plate. Isaac Rodriguez was 2 for 3 with a pair of runs driven in. Travis Creel was 2 for 4.
Sam Hopkins (1-6) started and took the loss for SIUE. Hopkins allowed five runs, but just two were earned. He allowed seven hits over 3 2/3 innings and struck out one. Drew Staples allowed a run in two innings of relief work. He struck out one. J.D. Williams gave up three runs in 1 2/3 innings. Dylan Brown retired the final two Southern Miss batters in the eighth inning.
Southern Miss starter Jake Drehoff started and allowed just two hits over five scoreless innings. He struck out three and improved to 3-5 with the win.
SIUE plays host to Evansville Wednesday at Simmons Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
