NEW ORLEANS ? University of New Orleans freshman right-hander Cory Myers made his first collegiate start a good one, as the newcomer tossed seven strong innings to help UNO take an 8-2 win over Vermont in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday at Maestri Field.
Myers (1-0) allowed just five hits and one earned run, and the Privateers (4-2) scored eight unanswered runs to win their fourth straight.
UNO right fielder Mark McGonigle went 3-for-3 with two RBIs, and Johnny Giavotella added two hits and an RBI to pace a 10-hit attack.
The Privateers put up six runs in the second inning off UVM starter Justin Albert (0-1) and added two more in the third to put it away.
Myers needed just 77 pitches, which included two walks and three strikeouts. Randy Verdin worked the final two innings and struck out three with one walk.
“Cory was outstanding today,” said UNO head coach Tom Walter. “He had good command of three pitches, he was throwing strikes and showed some composure.”
Todd Allen went 2-for-2 with a run scored and an RBI to lead the Catamounts (0-2).
Down 1-0 in the bottom of the second, the Privateers took advantage of two UVM errors and tallied five hits to race ahead. McGonigle got UNO on the board with an RBI single and later scored on a throwing error by third baseman Kyle Massie.
Nick Mitchell recorded an RBI double, and T.J. Baxter and Giavotella put together back-to-back RBI singles to make it 6-1.
“Once again, we did a good job of making their starting pitcher throw a lot of pitches early,” Walter said. “He's a very good left-hander. We should have done more with their bullpen, but fortunately Cory Myers held them in check.”
The two teams will begin the second game at approximately 3 p.m.
