Jaguars survive late rally, defeats Loyola 9-8

Southern held off Loyola of New Orleans on Wednesday, 9-8. The Jaguars narrowly escaped as the Wolfpack rallied in the top of the ninth inning scoring three runs to pull the score within one, after trailing 9-5.
Junior outfielder Juan Mendoza hit a home run in the seventh to give the Jaguars a 9-5 lead. On the night, Mendoza batted in two RBI’s and a solo home run, going 2 for 4.
“We got 10 hits and nine runs, so we made our hits work with runs,” said Southern Head Coach Roger Cador.
The Jaguars trailed the Wolfpack 2-3 at the beginning of the third until Juan Mendoza registered one of his RBI’s, tying the game at three.
“Loyola played us tough and swung the bats well,” Cador said. “It was a good midweek game for us because we used a lot of players and came away with the win.”
The Wolfpack (15-30) nearly tied the game with two outs in the seventh when a line drive hit past third baseman Theo Ycoy went foul. But, Loyola’s hope of a seventh inning comeback was crushed when Hubbell strikeout on the next pitch.
“I was not comfortable with the 7-5 lead because Loyola made a run late,” Cador said. “I felt we had to adjust to stop the bleeding, so we did that and were able to come out on top.”
Part of Cador’s adjustment on Tuesday once again included pitchers.
During the game, five Jaguar pitchers saw action with closer Sharrod Brooks earning his first save of the season.
Leading the Jaguar comeback, Gerard Gause drove in a run in the bottom of the fifth, which tied the game at four. A Loyola error led to two more runs scored, as the Jaguars pulled out in front.
Other key performers for the Jaguars were Brian Mason and Victor Franklin. Franklin went 2 for 4, while 3 for 4 with two doubles and three RBI’s.
The Jaguars (19-12) are winners of four of their last five and swept the two-game season series with Loyola with Tuesday’s win.
“We’ve got to find a way to close the door at the end of games,” Cador said
Over the weekend the Jaguars will host Grambling at 1 p.m. in a seven-inning doubleheader.
“All in all, we displayed timely hitting on offense, but left pitches over the plate,” Cador said. “We must have consistent pitching to win down the road.”