The Associated Press

HATTIESBURG — Vidalia, La., native Josh Hoffpauir drove in two runs on three hits and Chad Rogers struck out nine batters to lead Southern Mississippi to a 9-3 victory over Nicholls State on Friday.

Dusty Haley hit an RBI single in the first inning to start the scoring for Southern Miss (3-5). Brent Quinn hit his first homer of the year in the second to give the Golden Eagles a 2-0 lead.

Nicholls State (3-7) tied the game 2-2 in the next inning when Jason Wilkerson and Bryan Daigle both scored on an RBI hit and an error.

Southern Miss took a 5-2 lead in the fourth highlighted by Ben Mosely’s third homer of the season. The Golden Eagles scored three more runs on errors to secure the win.

Rogers (1-2) allowed two runs on eight hits in seven inning to earn the victory. Ben Thompson gave up eight runs on eight hits in five inning to take the loss.