NEW ORLEANS ? University of New Orleans baseball coach Tom Walter was not about to tell his kids, but he viewed Friday's game against South Alabama as a “must-win.”
So as outfielder Mark McGonigle rounded third on what would be an eventual game-winning, three-run inside-the-park home run in the eighth inning, there was nobody more excited during one of the best plays in baseball.
McGonigle's line drive got past diving USA center fielder Ray Kruml to break a 5-5 tie and allow the Privateers to take an 8-5 victory at Maestri Field.
The senior went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored to help UNO (11-7, 2-4 Sun Belt Conference) snap a four-game SBC losing streak.
“It was just a great at-bat,” Walter said. “He had struck out his last two at-bats at balls in the dirt, and in that at-bat, he did a good job of laying off. He took advantage of a hanging breaking ball and did exactly what you are supposed to do.
“This was a win we had to have. We couldn't afford to start out 1-5 in league play. It was definitely our biggest win of the season so far.”
The home run was one of four round-trippers for the Privateers, who were down 5-1 heading into the sixth inning.
But T.J. Baxter hit a two-run home run in the sixth and Josh Vander Hey added a solo shot to cut the margin to 5-4. UNO tied it in the seventh on a solo home run by pinch hitter Alan Harris, setting up McGonigle's eighth-inning drama.
“We had a bunch of big at-bats tonight,” Walter said. “And the best thing about it was the performance of guys like Harris and McGonigle. We have a lot of tough outs in this lineup.”
Justin Garcia (1-0) got the win after tossing eight innings and striking out a career-high nine. The Violet, La., senior gave up four earned runs and 12 hits, but he retired the last seven hitters he faced.
Ryan O'Shea picked up his fourth save after working a scoreless ninth.
“Justin struggled with his breaking ball early and was having trouble commanding his fastball,” Walter said. “But he got in a nice rhythm and gave us a chance to win the game.”
Baxter, Vander Hey and Johnny Giavotella each went 2-for-4 for UNO, which has won three straight.
USA designated hitter Ryan McCrory went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs to pace the Jaguars (11-9, 1-3 Sun Belt). He was one of five Jaguars to record two hits.
Eric Gonzalez (3-2) picked up the loss despite striking out nine and going all eight innings.
The two teams will continue the three-game series at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
