Former Stringer ace Andrew Pierce threw 81⁄3 strong innings and Southern Miss scored all of its runs in the fourth as they defeated Memphis 2-1 Friday at Pete Taylor Park.

The Golden Eagles (21-16 overall, 5-5 C-USA) snapped a season-high three-game losing streak as Pierce limited the Tigers to a run on nine hits. He struck out 10 to improve to 5-2 on the season.

Southern Miss got a leadoff single from Isaac Rodriguez to start the fourth to increase his hitting streak to nine games. Kameron Brunty followed with a run-scoring triple.

After a strikeout and flyout, Ashley Graeter singled up the middle to give Southern Miss all the runs they needed in the contest.

After giving up two hits in each of the first three innings, Pierce retired 14 of the next 15 batters before giving up a couple of singles and a walk to go along with a flyout to start the ninth.

The Golden Eagles called for Bradley Roney. The USM reliever struck out T.J. Rich for the second out of the frame. After surrendering a wild pitch to give the Tigers (17-21, 6-7) their lone run, Roney fanned Derrick Thomas to end the game and get his sixth save of the campaign.

Mississippi State 7, Tennessee 1

Adam Frazier and Wes Rea had three RBIs apiece to pace Mississippi State to a victory and a series win over Tennessee.

Kendall Graveman pitched a three-hit gem, striking out eight in a complete-game effort.

LSU 5, Kentucky 4

In a battle between the SEC’s two division leaders, the Tigers came out in top in Game 1 of a best-of-three series.

Sophomore right-hander Kevin Gausman fired 11 strikeouts in seven innings.

LSU shortstop Austin Nola drove in three runs to lead top-ranked LSU win over No. 2 Kentucky in Cliff Hagan Stadium.