Privateers Lose Late Lead, Fall in Series Finale at South Alabama

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MOBILE, Ala. – The New Orleans Privateers baseball team (0-3) raced out to an early lead, but gave up three runs in the eighth inning of an 8-5 loss to the South Alabama Jaguars (3-0) on Sunday afternoon at Stanky Field.

The Privateers entered the eighth inning with a 6-5 lead. After a lead-off single and a bunt that moved Garrett DeGallier to second with one away, New Orleans called on Kevin Kelleher to try to close the game. Kelleher hit the next two batters and Bud Collura drove in the tying run with a sac fly to center.

After a balk advanced the remaining runners to second and third, Sam Carriere came in from third base to pitch. Adam Ballew lined a 2-2 pitch up the middle that gave the Jaguars their first lead of the day heading to the ninth.

Justin Flores retired the first two batters of the inning, but Jonathan Coco and Hezekiah Randolph combined for consecutive singles as the Privateers got the tying run on. Flores bounced back though with a strikeout to end the game and complete the sweep for South Alabama.

New Orleans got out to a 4-0 start on the strength of a two-run second and the same production in the fourth. The Privateers collected seven hits in the first four innings including three extra base hits. South Alabama got on the board with a three-run fifth, collecting five singles.

The Privateers put some cushion back to their lead in the sixth on a Preston Marsh two-run single with the bases loaded and two outs. The Jaguars then punched two runs across in the bottom half of the frame to make the score 6-5. With the bases loaded and one out, Mitchell Cohen kept the Privateers ahead for the moment by inducing a double play ball.

Marsh, Coco, Randolph, Ryan Calloway, and Ray Veit each contributed two hits. Chaz Boyer went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and the Privateers collected 12 hits on the contest. Veit also scored a pair of runs to lead the Privateers offense.

South Alabama got another multi-hit day from Garrett DeGallier (2-for4) along with two runs scored. Bud Collura drove in two runs and Drew LaBounty went 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored. The Jaguars used six pitchers after starter, Joey Jones went only 1.2 innings.

The Privateers return to the field to face Southern Miss on Wednesday, Feb. 18. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.

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