South Alabama split a pair of games in Starkville, Miss., on Friday, topping Columbia 4-1 before losing to Mississippi State 2-0.
In the early game, the Jaguars scored three runs in the top of the ninth to break a 1-1 tie. Pinch-hitter Hunter Stokes walked with the bases loaded to force home the go-ahead run, then Travis Swaggerty followed with a two-run single.
Nick DeSantis (3-0) picked up the win for USA with two perfect innings of relief to end the game, including four strikeouts. Jaguars starter Randy Bell allowed one run in seven innings with nine strikeouts.