NEW ORLEANS ? The University of New Orleans scored in each of its first five at-bats, and Joey Butler hit two home runs as the Privateers roughed up Nicholls State 11-1 on Tuesday at Maestri Field.
Butler, who was 3-for-26 in his last five games, went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs scored to help UNO (17-9) sweep a home-and-home series with the Colonels (5-21) for the second straight season.
The Privateers hit four home runs and used six different pitchers. The game, which was delayed for 63 minutes due to rain, was called after seven innings due to a 10-run mercy rule.
“It was great to see Joey step up with two home runs in his first two at-bats on the first two pitches he sees,” said UNO head coach Tom Walter. “He had a rough week last week, but he's not going to stay in a slump for long. He's too good a hitter.”
UNO's Josh Vander Hey had two hits and an RBI, and Jeff Lanning had a two-run home run. Johnny Giavotella added three RBIs, including a solo round-tripper.
Starter Matt Brown (2-1) was credited with the win since the Privateers used a pre-determined rotation. The junior, who prepped at Rummel High School, went two innings, struck out two and did not allow a baserunner.
“It's a great sign to see Matt throw the ball as well as he did,” Walter said. “We had a few guys throw the ball extremely well tonight.”
The Privateers got two runs off NSU starter Drew Erwin (1-2) in the first thanks to an RBI triple from T.J. Baxter and a Giavotella sacrifice fly. After scoring two more runs in the second, the Privateers put up a four-spot in the third thanks to three home runs.
Giavotella hit a one-out shot over the left-field wall before Lanning followed two batters later with a two-run blast. Butler capped the frame with a first-pitch home run that just cleared the wall in left.
Brandt Boudreaux had two hits for NSU, which has lost five straight.
UNO will return to the road this weekend, traveling to Texas-Pan American for a three-game non-conference set. The two teams will kick off the series at 6 p.m. on Friday.
