Box Score NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers baseball team (11-38, 2-28 Southland) fell just short in the final game of the season, dropping a 4-3 decision to the Central Arkansas Bears (29-21, 17-13) on Saturday at Maestri Field at First NBC Ballpark.
The Privateers went to the final inning, and after the first two batters were retired,
Reese Kanter battled back from a 1-2 count to draw a walk. However, Connor McClain got
Samuel Capielano to ground out on a check swing to end the game and preserve the win. McClain picked up his second save in as many nights for the Bears.
On Senior Day, the Privateers seniors had some strong contributions.
Raymond Winter threw a career-high 8.1 innings after allowing four runs in the first three innings. Winter got out of some tight spots in the middle innings including the fifth where he struck out Carson Dowdle with the bases loaded.
Winter struck out the side in the seventh, and was locked in as the game progressed. Winter struck out Joey Pinney and Coach
Ron Maestri came out to the mound to make a pitching change. In the process, Maestri gave Winter a hug and tipped his cap as the crowd gave a standing ovation.
"He's a competitor. Every time he comes out he gives you everything he has. I told the coaches let's give him his due and let the fans appreciate what he's done for us because he's been a leader all year for us," said Head Coach
Ron Maestri about Winter's performance on the day and the season.
The Privateers had to battle from behind early after giving up two first inning runs. Doug Votolato hit a double that kicked off of the bag at first. The Bears had runners on the corners with one out, and Nate Ferrell drove in the first run on an RBI single. Tyler Langley grounded out to push the early Central Arkansas lead to 2-0.
New Orleans came back in the bottom of the first off Connor Gilmore. The inning started with a walk drawn by
Mitchell Alexander who was doubled home by Kanter. New Orleans loaded the bases with one out, but Gilmore got a pop up for the second out. Then
Morgan Barger delivered a two-run double to the gap in left-center to put the Privateers ahead 3-2.
Central Arkansas would go back ahead for good in the third. Chris Townsend was hit by a pitch with one out then was moved to third on a double. Langley drove in his second run of the game with a single to tie it, then Scott Zimmerle pushed across the go-ahead tally on an RBI sacrifice fly.
On the day, Alexander led the Privateers in the hit column going 2-for-4. A true freshman, Alexander is part of a group that got significant playing time in freshman year. "It was a learning experience for everybody especially when you come out of high school. They've competed and they've gotten better every week," said Maestri.
The Bears were led offensively by Ferrell who went 3-for-5. Langley had two hits and drove in two runs. Despite being held out of the hit column on the day, Townsend scored twice. The Bears stranded 10 runners on the afternoon.
