UNO Baseball Falls in Weekend Opener to Northwestern State

NATCHITOCHES, La. - Northwestern State starting pitcher Luke Irvine limited the University of New Orleans to just five hits in his seven innings of work, helping the host Demons to a 10-1 win on Friday night in the NSU Invitational.

It was the second straight quality start for Irvine (2-0), who only has only allowed 11 hits in 13 innings of work this season for NSU (3-2). The right-handed pitcher finished with nine strikeouts while yielding a single run to UNO (1-4).

The Demons put seven runs on the scoreboard against Privateer starter Robert Ormbsee (0-2). Ormbsee, who lasted just 1/3 inning in his first start against Southern last Sunday, pitched 4 2/3 innings and allowed nine hits.

NSU hitters Drew Helenihi and Ryan Keele posted three hits in their three plate appearances against Ormbsee. Helenhini finished 4-for-4 with three runs for the game with Keele going 3-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs.

Colin Bear rounded out the offensive attack for the Demons, going 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. NSU totaled 14 hits in the game.

The Demons scored a single run in the second and third inning before chasing Ormsbee in the fifth with five additional runs on way to a 7-0 advantage.  The hosts scored three more runs in the sixth.

Privateer left fielder Nolan Church extended his hitting streak to eight games dating back to last season with a single in the fourth inning.  Church finished 2-for-3 to lead UNO by adding a double in the sixth inning that scored Blake LeBlanc for UNO's lone run.

Cameron Wheeless also provided two hits with his 2-for-4 outing at the plate with Jonathan Jeanice pitching two scoreless innings of relief out of the bullpen for head coach Bruce Peddie's squad.

The Privateers will continue play on Saturday at 11 a.m. against ULM. The Warhawks fell 7-1 to Stephen F. Austin in the opener of the NSU Invitational on Friday afternoon.