TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ? The University of New Orleans baseball team scored 12 runs in the first three innings en route to a 17-8 win at Alabama on a cold Wednesday evening at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
UNO first baseman Jerad Comarda, who entered the night 1-for-14 on the year, went 4-for-4 with two home runs and three RBIs to help the Privateers (10-7) sweep a two-game midweek series.
Nick Mitchell hit a grand slam home run, and Johnny Giavotella added a three-run shot as UNO tallied its highest run tally against a Southeastern Conference school since a 20-13 win over Mississippi State on March 27, 1984.
Ryan Eden went 4-for-5, as the top three hitters in the UNO lineup combined for nine hits, seven runs and six RBIs. Giavotella went 3-for-4 with four runs scored, while Mitchell and Jeff Lanning added two hits each.
The Privateers notched 19 hits overall.
“We had some guys who hadn't been playing and they stepped up huge for us,” said UNO head coach Tom Walter, whose program has won three straight games against SEC opponents dating back to last year.
“Nick Mitchell and Jerad Comarda haven't gotten to play a lot, and they are two guys who are never going to complain. To see them come through like they did tonight is special to see.”
Cory Myers (2-0) got the win in relief after allowing just one hit and striking out three in three innings of work.
Kent Matthes went 2-for-5 with two RBIs for the Crimson Tide (9-10). Ross Wilson, Wes Henderson and Jeff Texada had two hits and an RBI apiece. Left-hander Miers Quigley (1-1) got the loss after surrendering eight earned runs in 2 1/3 innings.
Alabama dropped its fifth straight game.
The Privateers put the game away in the first three innings. Giavotella got the scoring going in the top of the first with a three-run homer off Quigley, and Comarda added a solo blast in the second to make it 4-0.
UNO put up an eight-spot in the third inning to make it 12-0 thanks to a grand slam from Mitchell and a two-run single by Joey Butler.
The Crimson Tide never got closer than six runs the rest of the way.
UNO will open up a three-game Sun Belt Conference series against South Alabama on Friday. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. at Maestri Field.
