HATTIESBURG, Miss. ? Southern Miss scored the game's first nine runs en route to an easy 13-5 win over the University of New Orleans on Tuesday at Pete Taylor Park.
USM's Travis Graves and Kameron Brunty combined for seven RBIs, and junior JR Ballinger tossed six strong innings as the Golden Eagles (4-0) beat UNO (3-2) for the sixth time in the last seven meetings.
Graves went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs, while Brunty (2-for-4, three RBIs) was part of a USM lineup that saw its 1-3 hitters combine for five hits and five runs scored.
Ballinger (1-0) held UNO to just five hits and one earned run in his first career start.
Jim McGonigle (0-1) got the loss in his first appearance of 2009. The Houston junior surrendered six earned runs in 3 1/3 innings ? including four in the opening frame.
Jerad Comarda had three of UNO's seven hits, including his second home run of the season. The Jesuit High product hit a three-run shot in the eighth inning.
UNO used six pitchers and debuted freshman left-hander Justin Cromartie, who retired both batters he faced.
The Golden Eagles, who claimed two wins over the Privateers at the 2008 NCAA Regional in Baton Rouge, put this one away early.
USM got a leadoff home run from Bo Davis in the first inning. After a sacrifice fly, USM made it 4-0 when Graves ripped a two-out, two-run double down the left-field line.
The Golden Eagles, who scored in five of the first six innings, chased McGonigle with a three-spot in the fourth inning and added four more runs in the sixth.
The Privateers were down 13-2 before Comarda's eighth-inning blast.
UNO will open an eight-game homestand on Friday, hosting Marist in a three-game weekend set. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Maestri Field.
