HATTIESBURG, Miss. - South Alabama's (11-14, 1-6 SBC) slow start leaves too much to overcome late as the Jags dropped the series start at No. 13 Southern Miss (19-7. 6-1 SBC).
The Jags struggled early to make contact with JB Middleton's pitches, with only a Lucas Ismaili single to lead off the second inning in the first five frames.
Zach Willingham dueled Middleton through the first 4-plus innings, throwing 98 pitches for six hits, four runs, and four strikeouts on the day. Middleton finished his outing after 8.0 innings with a career-best 12 strikeouts.