Abilene Christian Rallies Past Privateers

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NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans  Privateers baseball team (14-31, 3-19 Southland) raced to an early lead, but gave up five runs in the seventh inning of an 8-6 loss to the Abilene Christian Wildcats (11-31, 9-13) on Friday at Maestri Field at First NBC Ballpark.
 
The Privateers were leading 6-3 in the seventh when the second out of the frame was recorded on a Marcelle Carter fly out. Afterward, back-to-back singles and a walk cut the Privateers lead to two and loaded the bases. Darron McKigney tried to close out the inning, but walked Kyle Carroll to make it 6-5.
 
Aaron Draper then rolled a grounder to first, but the ball was booted for the third Privateers error of the night. The Wildcats jumped ahead for the first time on the night and would hold from there. After picking up an insurance run in the ninth, Nate Cole closed it down on the mound for his first save of the year.
 
"We started out and got two runs and we got men on base, but we hit into a couple of double plays and had six walks on the mound. We just can't do that. Hats off to them and we have to come out tomorrow," said Coach Ron Maestri.
 
The Privateers started the scoring early against starter, Drew Hanson. New Orleans loaded the bases with no outs and Hezekiah Randolph shot a ground ball through the left side of the infield to give the Privateers an early 2-0 lead.
 
New Orleans would add solo runs in the third and fourth inning, and had a 4-2 lead after four frames. The Privateers collected their final two runs in the sixth. An RBI single by Parker Jones was followed shortly after by an RBI single from Sam Carriere.
 
Two pitchers had to leave the ball game as starter, Jordan Priddle was hit in the leg by a line drive with two outs in the fifth. Darron McKigney also was injured in the seventh, and had to come out while facing a 3-1 count against Jordan Forrester.
 
Offensively, Chaz Boyer went 3-for-4 with three singles. Four Privateers collected two hits each and the Privateers had 14 knocks as a team (all singles). McKigney took the loss, his first of the season. New Orleans committed three errors in the field. Samuel Capielano played in his first game since Apr. 7 and went 1-for-2 with a run.
 
Wildcats coach, Britt Bonneau reached a milestone with the win which was his 700^th at Abilene Christian. The Wildcats pounded out 13 hits including a three-hit night from Russell Crippen. Alex Copeland, Tyler Eager, and Jordan Forrester had two hits each.
 
The series continues on Saturday with a first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
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