NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers baseball team (3-4) will conclude their eight-game home stand with a weekend series against the Indiana State Sycamores (6-1). The series opens on Friday at Zephyr Field with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
The Privateers crammed a doubleheader into Tuesday because of threatening weather, and split the two games with the Texas Southern Tigers. After taking the first game 4-3, New Orleans dropped a 3-1 decision on the back end of the doubleheader. It was the first loss to Texas Southern in seven career meetings.
Freshman
Hezekiah Randolph had a big night for the Privateers. Randolph hit what turned into the game-winning solo home run in the fifth inning of New Orleans' win. In the loss, Randolph accounted for the only run with a solo homer in the sixth. In the process, Randolph became the first New Orleans player to homer in back-to-back games since Mike Petello and Nolan Church did it in the same two games in May 2010.
New Orleans' bullpen has continued its strong start to the season.
Seth Laigast picked up a two-inning save in the Privateers' victory on Tuesday, and four relievers combined to allow just one hit in the final 3.2 innings of the loss. After seven games, Privateers relievers have thrown 27.2 innings and allowed just four earned runs (1.30 ERA).
The two teams have met eight previous times. Indiana State has a 5-3 lead in the all-time series. Coach
Ron Maestri faced the Sycamores in a four-game set in 1982 that the two teams split. This will be the first meeting since 1993.
Indiana State enters having won six straight after dropping the season-opener to Auburn. Last weekend, the Sycamores swept through the Mule Mix Classic by beating Lipscomb, Belmont, and Middle Tennessee State. Opposing teams are batting just .192 against Sycamores pitching this season.
For the Sycamores, their 6-1 start marks their best beginning since 2009 when Indiana State won nine of their first ten games. The Sycamores also own two wins over Ohio State and one over Connecticut in their opening weekend at the Snowbird Baseball Classic.
Strong pitching has keyed Indiana State, especially out of the bullpen. Freshman Ryan Keaffaber was named Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 17, and has already collected four saves on the season. The Sycamores staff in total has allowed just 43 hits through seven games.
Alex Smith is slated to start for the Privateers in the series opener on Friday night. He will be opposed by Kurt Kudrecki.
Audio of all three games will be available free of charge on UNO Showcase with
Emmanuel Pepis calling the action. Each broadcast will start 10 minutes prior to first pitch. HD Video of Friday's and Sunday's contests will be available to subscribers of UNO Showcase as well.
