NEW ORLEANS ? Jay Morris' RBI sacrifice fly capped a three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth inning, as the University of New Orleans baseball team stole a 4-3 win over Middle Tennessee on Friday at Maestri Field.
Morris' opposite field fly ball to left field plated pinch runner Justin Edwards to help UNO (5-5, 1-0 Sun Belt Conference) win its SBC opener for the third time in the last four years.
Pinch hitter Kyle Maldonado provided the big blow with a game-tying, two-run single off MT closer Coty Woods (0-1) two batters earlier to tie the game at 3-3.
It was UNO's third ninth-inning rally of the year.
Kevin DeGrouttola (2-0) got the win in relief of Jake Henderson, who kept UNO in it with eight strong innings. The sophomore right-hander allowed five hits and struck out a career-high nine.
The Privateers had nine hits, including eight singles.
MT (7-2, 0-1) got seven strong innings from starter Bryce Brentz and had a pair of solo home runs from Rawley Bishop and Hunter Dawson.
Drew Robertson, who entered the series hitting .643, went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
While MT managed just six hits, the two long balls seemingly were going to provide the difference entering the ninth inning.
Designated hitter Alan Harris, though, led off the inning with a single and Kevin Berry (2-for-4) followed with an infield single two batters later.
Woods then walked pinch hitter Jerad Comarda on four pitches before Maldonado laced an RBI single to center.
After MT intentionally walked Ryan Eden to set up a force play at home, Morris lifted the first pitch he saw from Woods to the warning track in left ? easily allowing Edwards to score.
The two teams will continue the three-game series at 4 p.m. on Saturday.
