Alabama ace Wade LeBlanc struck out two in the first inning. Alabama got two runners on but Jax State starter Donovan Hand got Evan Bush to ground out.

Here are some notes from the presser:

The game lasted five hours 59 minutes with two rain delays.

USM will throw Cliff Russum tomorrow. Troy will throw Joe Hallahan.

"It is a tough game to play in the first game of a Regional," said Troy coach Bobby Pierce. "The first game has a lot of intensity and it is difficult to stay up for nine innings, especially when they are spread over six hours."

"We made a lot of mistakes," said Southern Miss head coach Corky Palmer. "Our pitching staff does not strike out a lot of batters so we can't afford to make mistakes. That is the story of the game.

"Eight out of ten games we are going to hit. We have to pitch and we have to catch. Right now we are a one-dimensional team, a hitting team. If we don't do something about that, our stay in this tournament will be a short one."