MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama scored five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning on its way to a 9-2 win over Appalachian State University baseball in weekend series opener on Friday night at Stanky Field.

The Mountaineers got on the score board first when Avery Jackson hit his first homer of the season over the left field wall in the top of the third inning. The home run was also the first of Jackson's career. 

Taylor Thurber got the start and pitched three scoreless innings before the Jaguars plated five runs on five hits with the help of three Mountaineer errors.

Two singles, a double, and a triple brought three more runs across home plate in the bottom of the fifth to open up an 8-1 advantage over the Apps. 

The Mountaineers added a second run in the top of the seventh when Carson Jones led off the inning with a double to left center and scored on a fielding error by the South Alabama third baseman. 

USA's Kevin Hill pitched a complete game and improved to 5-0 on the season. 

Appalachian State University is back in action tomorrow for a twin bill starting at noon against South Alabama to finish out the Sun Belt series. Game two will begin shortly after the conclusion of the first game.