Privateers Open Key Home Series Against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

TEXAS A&M-CORPUS CHRISTI (17-15, 7-8) VS NEW ORLEANS (11-24, 2-13)
GAME 36-38 | MAESTRI FIELD AT FIRST NBC BALLPARK | NEW ORLEANS, LA.
FRIDAY 6:30 PM | SATURDAY 2 PM | SUNDAY 1 PM

GAME NOTES | VIDEO | AUDIO | TWITTER
 
THE SERIES:
The New Orleans Privateers baseball team (11-24, 2-13 Southland) returns home for a big weekend series against the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders (17-15, 7-8) on Friday at Maestri Field at First NBC Ballpark. First pitch for the series opener is set for 6:30 p.m.
 
The Privateers had two mid-week games washed out due to rain. A scheduled contest at Jackson State on Tuesday was moved to Apr. 28 because of rain. New Orleans was going to wrap up the road trip at Southern on Wednesday, but that game was canceled due to field conditions. The Privateers have had six games affected by weather this season.
 
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi also comes in without a mid-week game under their belt after their contest with Houston-Victoria on Wednesday was canceled. The Islanders have won four straight entering play and currently hold the eighth and final spot in the race to qualify for the Southland Conference Tournament.
 
Jordan Lee won Southland Hitter of the Week honors after going 11-for-19 at the plate with two home runs and a .667 on-base percentage. Saturday starter Trevor Belicek leads the conference in strikeouts with 78. Belicek has 20 more strikeouts than the next pitcher on the list entering the weekend. Tyler Ware leads the league in walks (27).

WEATHER:

DAY	TEMPERATURE	CONDITIONS	RAIN CHANCE	WINDS
Friday	82/71	Thunderstorms	80%	ESE 5-10
Saturday	78/70	Thunderstorms	100%	SSE 10-20
Sunday	82/70	Thunderstorms	90%	SW 10-20

 
PITCHING ROTATION:
Friday: UNO- Alex Smith RHP (3-5, 2.47) vs. AMCC- Matt Danton RHP (2-5, 1.88)
Saturday: UNO- Jordan Priddle LHP (4-3, 4.30) vs. AMCC- Trevor Belicek LHP (6-2, 2.94)
Sunday: UNO- Shawn Semple RHP (1-2, 2.54) vs. AMCC- Devin Skapura RHP (2-3, 4.42)
 
ALL-TIME SERIES:
RECORD: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi leads 3-0
LAST MEETING: AMCC W 3-2, 3/30/14
 
NEXT UP:
The Privateers remain home for their lone mid-week game as they square off against Jackson State on Wednesday, Apr. 22. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
INNINGS EATER:
Alex Smith is fourth in innings pitched in the Southland with 62.0. Smith has worked at least seven innings in each of his last three starts, and threw a complete game last weekend against Northwestern State. Smith also led the Privateers in innings pitched with 100 in his junior season.
 
HEARTBREAK HOTEL:
The Privateers and Islanders squared off for the first time in program history in 2014. All three games were decided by a run and two of them went to extra innings. The Islanders swept the series that went from Mar. 29-30.
 
THE RACE IS ON:
With five weekend series left, the Privateers are five games out of the eighth spot. Counting this weekend, four of those series are against teams who are currently in the top eight including a set against the current Southland leader, Southeastern.
 
Tickets can be purchased online for the May 12^th meeting with LSU in New Orleans at UNOPrivateers.com, over the phone at (504) 280-GAME or in person at the ticket office located at 2000 Lakeshore Dr., New Orleans, La. 70148.

For more information, follow the Privateers on Twitter @UNOPrivateers or like New Orleans Privateers on Facebook.