NEW ORLEANS - For the first time this season, the University of New
Orleans baseball team combined a strong offensive performance with a
solid pitching performance to take a 7-1 victory over Youngstown State on Sunday afternoon at
Maestri Field.
Ryan Eden's two-run blast was part of a five-run second inning for UNO
(2-6) that handed the hosts a series win over YSU (1-2). In the
five-run frame, the Privateers took advantage of two walks and
a wild pitch before John Thomas added a double and Eden slapped one
over the fence in left field to bring the five runs across.
The other two runs for the Privateers came in the fifth inning on a Mike Petello two-run homerun to right field.
Petello led UNO by batting 3-for-4 in the game with two RBIs while
Thomas joined in the offensive fireworks by hitting 2-for-3 with two
RBIs.
While the batting was on the mark, the Privateers were also having success on the mound.
Jim McGonigle, Cory Myers, Mats Mattson and Kevin DeGrouttola combined
to allow just one run to the Penguins. McGonigle (1-0) picked up the
victory by allowing three hits, while striking out four over five
innings of work before being relieved.
Myers held YSU off the scoreboard for two innings while Mattson continued the pitching dominance over the Penguins. DeGrouttola gave up one run during the ninth inning before closing out the contest.
Cody Dearth (0-1) took the loss for YSU, giving up four runs on two
hits and a walk over 1.1 innings. Kevin McCulloh allowed the other
three runs scored in the game over 3.2 innings of action out of the
bullpen. Jacke Healey and Zac McFarland had two hits apiece for YSU.
The Privateers will have six days off before playing Southern next
Saturday in Thibodaux, La. at 4 p.m. in the first half of a multi-team
doubleheader. UNO will follow the SU contest with a game against host
Nicholls State at 7 p.m.
