MONROE, La. - Louisiana-Monroe's Josh Gill went 2-for-3 with three RBIs to lead the Warhawks to a 6-2 win over visiting New Orleans on Friday evening.
Gill had a two-run single in the first inning and an RBI double in the third, as ULM (8-9, 2-2 Sun Belt Conference) won its SBC home debut.
Right-hander James Jones (2-1) worked eight solid innings, striking out 10 and allowing just five hits - all singles. Will Browning tossed a perfect ninth to claim his fifth save.
UNO junior John Pivach (0-1) absorbed the loss despite allowing only one earned run in seven innings. The Belle Chasse product only surrendered three hits but did suffer a career-high eight walks. The Privateers (4-11, 0-4) committed three errors, which led to five unearned runs.
The Warhawks led 6-0 after four innings before the Privateers rallied with two runs in the sixth. Jerad Comarda and Jay Morris put together back-to-back RBI singles with two outs, as UNO cut the margin to four.
But the Privateers were held to just one hit in their last three at bats.
The two teams combined for just one extra-base hit. UNO's Ryan Eden reached base three times.
The series will continue at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The start time was adjusted due to anticipated inclement weather in Monroe.
The game can still be heard locally on WGSO 990 AM or online at WGSO.com.
