Baseball Surrenders Eight Walks, Commits Two Errors in Loss to Southern Miss

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HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The University of New Orleans pitching staff surrendered eight walks and were held in check by the Southern Miss Golden Eagles (4-0) in the late innings of a 7-4 loss at Pete Taylor Park on Wednesday night. The Privateers fell to 3-1 with the loss. 
 
The Golden Eagles' combination of Austin Millet, Nick Johnson, and Nick Sandlin pitched the final 5.2 innings and allowed just three hits and one unearned run while walking one and striking out four. Sandlin threw the final two innings to pick up the Golden Eagles' first save of the year.
 
The Privateers grabbed a 3-1 lead in the fourth inning when Chaz Boyer and Jay Robinson drove in runs on back-to-back sac flies. The advantage was short lived however as Chase Scott mashed a two-run homer to left center that tied the game at 3-3. UNO fell behind in the next frame when the Golden Eagles plated two runs with two outs. Chuckie Robinson broke the tie with an RBI single and Storme Cooper followed with an RBI bases loaded walk.
 
In the seventh inning, the Golden Eagles added two runs worth of insurance. Cooper drove in his second run of the night on a sac fly that accounted for the second out. The next batter was Nick Dawson who followed with an RBI single, one of two hits for the nine-hole hitter on the game.
 
"The key for us to be successful is we've got to pitch well," said Coach Blake Dean. "We can't give up free passes and we have to play defense, and tonight we didn't do much of either one. We gave up eight walks and made two errors and probably could have scored more. For us to win ball games, we can't do that."
 
The Privateers fell behind early when Tim Lynch drove in a run on an RBI base hit. Lynch collected three hits on the night to help lead the Golden Eagles offense. Bryan Warzek debuted for the Privateers and the true freshman lasted 3.1 innings while surrendering two hits and three runs with five walks and three strikeouts. UNO stranded nine runners on the night.
 
"They gave us a few opportunities to score runs," said Dean. They turned a double play and struck Bracey out with the bases loaded. That happens, but for us to be the type of team we need to be we have to come through in those situations."
 
Dakota Dean turned in the only multi-hit night for the Privateers as he went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles. Keaton Brewer took the loss for UNO and threw 2.2 innings. Myles Blunt and Hunter Medine each pitched an inning of relief.
 
The Privateers return home on Friday to start a three-game set with Valparaiso. First pitch for the series opener is at 6:30 p.m.