Box Score SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The New Orleans Privateers baseball team (9-20, 2-10 Southland) used a five-run eighth to erase an early deficit in a 10-6 win over the Incarnate Word Cardinals (9-20, 3-3) to cap off the series on Saturday at Sullivan Field.
The Privateers were down 6-0 after two innings. Starter
Hunter Medine lasted 1.2 innings, and was charged with all six runs. Medine left with the bases loaded, and
Darron McKigney allowed a three-run double to the first batter he faced. New Orleans flipped the switch after that, and exploded four 14 total hits.
The deciding inning came in the eighth with the Privateers trailing 6-5. A single by
Hezekiah Randolph and a double from
Jonathan Coco put two runners in scoring position with one out. The bases eventually were loaded before
Jonathan Santana delivered a two-run double to put the Privateers ahead.
Three more runs came across against the Cardinals' best reliever in Kris Looper including a two-run single by
Samuel Capielano to cap off the rally. McKigney bounced back very strong to throw 7.1 shutout innings of relief while striking out eight batters.
"That was the story of the day, his performance," said Head Coach
Ron Maestri on McKigney's outing. "He threw the ball exceptionally well, threw strikes. He throws like that he's really going to help us."
New Orleans started its rally in the third inning. Randolph used the final game of the series to bust out of a 1-for-22 slump in his last six games by smashing a three-run home run in the third to cut the deficit to 6-3. "He lost his aggressiveness. He was pushing the ball just trying to make contact instead of just driving the ball. That home run was a little spark for us. That was good to see and he's a freshman. He'll struggle at times, but there's a lot of upside to him," said Maestri.
Randolph wound up with four hits on the day, and landed a triple shy of the cycle. Capielano and Coco each delivered three-hit days for the Privateers. McKigney picked up his first win of the season as the Privateers matched a season-high for runs scored in a game. Six of the Privateers' hits went for extra bases including two triples. Zach Reboulet picked up his first hit of the season in the series finale.
The Privateers will be back on the road on Tuesday to take on the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
