Box Score
NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers baseball team (2-3) got a tie-breaking two-run home run in the seventh, and some big plays in the field as part of a 4-3 victory over the South Alabama Jaguars on Saturday at Zephyr Field.
Cameron Hoffman broke a tie game with a two-run home run in the seventh off Jaguars reliever Kevin Hill. After South Alabama scored a run in the eighth, they loaded the bases with one out in the ninth. However
Raymond Winter came up with two big outs to get the save.
South Alabama cut the deficit to one run on an RBI single by Bud Collura. With two outs and runners on the corners, Cameron Cummings hit a deep fly ball to center but
Chaz Boyer made a spectacular diving catch to finish the frame. "That's a highlight film and he did it last week. Just a tremendous catch," said Head Coach
Ron Maestri.
That set up
Raymond Winter who was called on out of the pen to close the game. Winter struck out Cole Gleason on a 2-2 pitch that caught the outside corner of the plate. After falling behind 3-0 to Matt Wojciechowski, Winter battled back and forced a fly out to right to preserve the victory for the Privateers. For Winter it was his second save of his collegiate career.
"That's why Ray Winter is a closer. He's 3-0 on that hitter and that's one of their best hitters and just came back to get him and that's just awesome," said Maestri.
The scoring started early as the Privateers scratched a run across in the first inning. Sam Capielano led off the game with a single and was moved to third on a base hit by
Reese Kanter. Then
Hezekiah Randolph hit an RBI single off of Jaguars starter Locke St. John to put the Privateers up 1-0.
South Alabama would respond with two runs in the third to grab their first advantage of the game. New Orleans starter
Darron McKigney allowed a single and a walk with one out. After a balk advanced both runners into scoring position, Jaguars catcher Matt Wojciehowski ripped a double down the right field line to put the Jaguars ahead 2-1.
McKigney's day was done after just four innings and 101 pitches. Though he struck out six batters, McKigney also walked six and threw one wild pitch. The bullpen took command though as
Hunter Medine held the Jaguars scoreless over the next two innings.
The Privateers tied the game in the sixth at 2-2. Boyer hit a high chopper over third baseman Bud Collura's head and into left field to even the score and set up the dramatic finish.
Hoffman had three hits on the day including the game-winning home run, the first of the season for the Privateers.
Jonathan Santana went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored, and threw out two Jaguars trying to steal. The Privateers had 10 hits with four of those going for extra bases.
Seth Laigast picked up the win while pitching the seventh and eighth inning out of the pen.
With the win, New Orleans broke a seven-game losing streak versus South Alabama. The Privateers have not won a series against the Jaguars since the 2009 season.
New Orleans will come back tomorrow for the series finale against South Alabama.
Nick Halliday will take the ball for the contest scheduled for 1 p.m.
