Feb. 24, 2001

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Rusty McDaniels went 4-for-5 with two runs batted in and a run scored and Dusty Haley went 3-for-4 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored to lead Southern Miss to a 14-4 victory over Samford on Saturday.

Southern Miss (7-3) took an early 8-0 lead after the second inning, scoring five runs in the first and three in the second. The Golden Eagles tacked on two more in the sixth and four in the seventh innings, pushing their lead to 14-4, the final outcome. Samford (1-7) scored two runs in the sixth inning and two more in the seventh.

The Golden Eagles collected 14 runs on 14 hits and recorded no errors, while Samford scored four runs on eight hits and committed two errors. The loss extends the Bulldogs' losing slide to five games.

Joe Denson and Sae Evans led the Bulldogs from the plate, both collecting two hits each. Denson finished with a RBI and Evans hit his fourth double of the season. Allen Winningham went 2-for-4 with a triple, three runs batted in and scored three runs to lead USM.

Bulldog starting pitcher Derek Tharpe took the loss, surrendering eight runs on seven hits, walking four batters and striking out three. Charlie Crabbe appeared in relief in the fourth inning, giving up one hit, one walk and one strikeout. Matt Fields replaced Crabbe in the sixth, pitching two innings, giving up six runs, four earned on five hits and striking out two. Dennis Thomas finished the game for the Bulldogs in the eighth inning, allowing one hit, a walk and striking out one.

The two teams will finish the three-game series on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 1 p.m., at Pete Taylor Park/Hill Denson Field.