Box Score
NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers baseball team (8-14, 1-5 Southland) collected 11 hits and notched three double plays in a 10-5 win over the Alcorn State Braves (3-24, 3-6 SWAC) on Wednesday night at Maestri Field at First NBC Ballpark.
A high scoring first inning saw the Privateers lead 3-2. After Alcorn State tied the game in the third, New Orleans broke the deadlock in the bottom of the third on RBI singles by
Hezekiah Randolph and
Jonathan Coco. The Privateers added two runs in the fourth on a two-run ground rule double and two more in the fifth to put the game away.
"We had more quality swings from everybody. Hoffman is snake bit, he hit one up the middle and the pitcher knocked it down, but those are good signs and Nick hit the ball and that's what we've got to have throughout the lineup," said Head Coach
Ron Maestri.
Raymond Winter started the game and picked up his first win of the season while giving up one earned run. Winter returned after missing the last four games due to suspension and threw 41 of 51 pitches for strikes.
Blake Prest delivered five solid innings of relief while spreading out six hits and giving up one run.
"The thing I was pleased about with both of them is they threw strikes, especially Winter. I was really pleased that he kept the ball down. I thought Blake came in and he threw strikes for the most part and that's what you want. Overall pitching did a good job," said Maestri.
Daniel Martinez finished off the game. After striking out the first two batters, an error on a ground ball to short kept the inning alive. Moses Charles eventually scored on a wild pitch, and two runners were allowed on base before Martinez induced a pop out behind the plate to end the game.
New Orleans got three double plays in three consecutive innings, but also committed three errors in the field. Two of those miscues came in the first inning to help give Alcorn State an early 2-0 lead. "We've got a freshman at third, short, and second and there's no excuse for that. I was more disappointed in the last inning. We just throw the ball all over and Alcorn is struggling but we just can't throw the ball around against a club like that. We've just got to talk to them and get them back in the ball game and get them back in the game from the first inning on," said Maestri.
Randolph, Morgan, and Coco each drove in two runs to help pace the Privateers.
Chaz Boyer scored three runs and
Samuel Capielano extended his hitting streak to seven games by going 2-for-5 at the plate. The Privateers won their first game this season despite being outhit.
Alcorn State was led by Moses Charles who had two hits and two runs scored. Jesus Vasquez took the loss on the mound while surrendering seven runs (three earned) in four innings of work. Braves pitchers issued eight walks on the night.
The Privateers turn their attention back to Southland play when they face the Texas A & M-Corpus Christi Islanders. The series opens Friday with a first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
