NEW ORLEANS ? New Orleans junior Nick Schwaner went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, and the Privateers recorded 14 hits in taking a 13-10 slugfest win over visiting Troy in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday at Maestri Field.
UNO (9-14, 4-6 Sun Belt Conference) spotted the Trojans (13-10, 2-5) a five-run lead in the first inning. But the hosts rallied by scoring in five of its first six at-bats, including five runs in the sixth to take control.
The UNO bullpen was also big, holding Troy to just one run in the final six innings. Junior right-hander Randy Verdin (1-1) picked up his first win of the year after tossing three scoreless innings.
Jay Morris went 2-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored, while designated hitter Alan Harris added two hits and two RBIs.
Six different Privateers had multiple hit games, as UNO scored double-digit runs for the fourth time in the last five games.
Ryan Ditthardt went 3-for-5 with an RBI for Troy, and Brett Henry added two hits and two runs scored. Troy notched 12 hits overall.
The Trojans took charge early, chasing UNO starter Jake Henderson after the sophomore right-hander could record just one out. Daryl Otwell hit a two-run home run, and the Trojans had a 5-0 lead before UNO took a swing.
But the Privateers rebounded by scoring in each of the first three innings, including three runs in the second.
Down 10-8 in the sixth, UNO grabbed its first lead with five runs off Troy reliever Tim Wheeler (2-1). The Privateers saw their first seven batters reach base safely and got a two-run single by Jerad Comarda and an RBI double from Schwaner.
Verdin made it stand, allowing only two hits in his three innings of work. Senior right-hander David Burch worked a scoreless ninth to pick up his second save.
The two teams are scheduled to play Game Two at approximately 6:05 p.m.
