The Islanders (3-7) tallied single runs in the first two frames before establishing a firm lead in the fourth on junior third baseman Martin Parra's two-out, two-run single to left-center. Parra finished the evening with three RBIs. Senior right fielder Chase Wheaton's RBI triple in the seventh gave the Islanders a 5-0 advantage.
Notre Dame (4-5) averted a shutout with runs in the eighth and ninth on RBI doubles by designated hitter Evan Sharpley and right fielder A.J. Pollock. Irish starter David Phelps (1-2) allowed four runs on six hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out eight.
The game marked the first time this season the Islanders played in Corpus Christi. Including their remaining games in the Classic against Arizona and South Alabama, the Islanders will play seven more games at Whataburger Field this year.
In other action, Arizona ace Preston Guilmet stole the show in the opener, blanking South Alabama for eight innings to lead the Wildcats in an 18-0 romp. Guilmet (2-1) held the Jaguars to four hits and, at one point, fanned six in a row, finishing the night with a season-high 12 strikeouts.
The Wildcats (8-1), winners of eight in a row, broke through for three runs in the first, thanks in part to a two-run single off the bat of Dillon Baird.
In the following frame, C.J. Ziegler belted his seventh home run of the season, a two-run shot down the right-field line for a five-run Arizona lead. Ziegler has 16 RBIs to go with his seven homers in nine games to lead the Wildcats.
South Alabama starter Kevin Nabors ran into more trouble in the third. With two away and the bases loaded, Diallo Fon hit a sharp single to short that was mishandled by Bunky Kateon, allowing two runners to score.
Every position player in the Wildcat lineup recorded a hit. Colt Sedbrook and Fon each had three RBI's, while Ziegler and T.J. Steele totaled two, respectively.
Catcher David Doss paced the Jaguars offensively with a 2-for-3 day.
Nabors (2-1) exited the game after giving up 11 runs, eight earned, off eight hits over 3.1 innings. The Jaguars fell to 7-4 with the loss.
2008 Whataburger College Classic upcoming games:
Saturday
South Alabama vs. Notre Dame, 3pm
Arizona vs. TAMU-Corpus Christi, 7pm
Sunday
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