By: Caleb Seaver, Contributing Writer
Photo by Caleb Seaver

MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama won a heated conference series over Texas State during Easter weekend. Emotions ran high as benches cleared and players were ejected during the games.

South Alabama entered the weekend tied for last in the Sun Belt, having lost four of their last five games. South Alabama needed a series win badly to stay alive in the hunt to qualify for the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, which featured only the top 10 teams in the conference.

Thursday’s series opener featured Texas State pitcher Alex Valentin matching up with South Alabama pitcher Jaxon Shineflew. The Jags would jump out to a big lead over the Bobcats early, scoring 4 runs in the bottom of the first inning. 

Things got interesting in the third inning though, as South Alabama would load the bases with only one out after two hits and a walk. Texas State’s Nick Valentin would take exception to the walk though, arguing with both the home plate umpire and Texas State catcher over the called ball four. This caused umpires to issue a warning to both him and the Texas State bench. 

After this, a run would score off a wild pitch, and junior outfielder John Smith III would hit a 3-run home run to right field. The first pitch after the home run was a fastball near the head of Kyle Morrison, resulting in Nick Valentin being ejected from the game. South Alabama held on to their lead and went on to win the first game, 15-5.

“He fired our guys up a little bit. He’s a very talented left-handed pitcher. Had really good numbers coming in, legit Friday night guy in this league, and got a little bit chippy. Both sides got a little bit chippy. And, you know, our guys just played good baseball. I didn’t think we got caught up in any nonsense,” said the Jaguars’ head coach Mark Calvi about the ejection and game.

Friday’s game was dominated early by the Bobcats, with Texas State leading 7-1 entering the bottom of the eighth. In their half of the inning, South Alabama would score 3 points off of hits by Josh Stevenson and Ethan Melton, cutting the Texas State lead to three. Texas State would get one run back in the top of the ninth before South Alabama would bat.

In the bottom of the ninth, South Alabama would score two and load the bases, but a strikeout by Ethan Melton would leave the game-winning run on base. Texas State would win game two 8-6, evening the series. After the game however, tensions rose yet again with the Texas State and South Alabama benches coming onto the field, with coaches having to separate the players.

“We played from behind all night. But I gave our guys credit. We competed like crazy. We just lost a tough one tonight. We lost a close one and lost a tough one,” said Calvi after the game. 

Game three was all Jags though, with a strong game by senior Zach Willingham and the South Alabama offense. South Alabama won the game 10-2, winning the series two games to one. The series win put the Jags in eleventh place in the Sun Belt. South Alabama finished their season on May 17 after winning games two and three against the University of Louisiana Monroe, claiming the series.