NEW ORLEANS ?Southern Mississippi freshman Todd McInnis pitched seven strong innings, and the visiting Golden Eagles took advantage of some early New Orleans mistakes as USM took a 9-4 win on Wednesday at Maestri Field.
Josh Fields went 3-for-5, including a three-run home run, and Kyle Maxie added three hits and two RBIs as the Golden Eagles (7-6) snapped a five-game losing streak.
USM scored five runs in the first two innings and let McInnis (3-1) do the rest.
McInnis, a Brandon, Miss., product who received a medical redshirt last year, struck out eight and scattered seven hits while only giving up one run.
UNO right-hander Jim McGonigle (1-1) got the loss after giving up four runs (three earned). The sophomore struggled with his control, giving up three walks and hitting two batters.
Preseason All-America second baseman Johnny Giavotella went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored for the Privateers (8-4). Josh Vander Hey went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
“We just didn't have a good approach at the plate tonight,” said UNO head coach Tom Walter. “(McInnis) is a good college pitcher, and he's primarily a two-pitch pitcher. When you face guys like that, you have to have a plan and eliminate one of the pitches, and we didn't do that today.”
USM took advantage of five walks, two hit batters and an error in the first two innings to grab a quick 5-0 lead.
UNO tried to get back in it in the third, getting runners on first and third with one out. Giavotella laced a line drive that appeared to be in the right-center field gap. But USM right fielder Michael Ewing made a diving stab and doubled off T.J. Baxter at first base.
Ryan Eden did cross the plate before the final out was recorded, but USM escaped without further damage.
The Golden Eagles increased the lead to 8-1 in the seventh on Fields' three-run home run. UNO tried to rally with a three-spot of its own in the eighth, but reliever Tyler Conn worked around three hits and two walks in the final two innings to close it out.
The Privateers will host Louisiana-Monroe at 6:30 p.m. on Friday at Maestri Field.
