Privateers Baseball Surrenders Late Lead, Falls to Cajuns

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LAFAYETTE, La. – Bryan Warzek pitched into the seventh inning and left with a lead, but the University of New Orleans baseball team (6-2) faltered late in a 7-4 loss to the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns on Tuesday at Tigue Moore Field.
 
The Privateers were leading the entire game and added two runs to their advantage in the seventh on an RBI triple by Jay Robinson and an RBI single from Ryan Calloway. UNO led 4-1 entering the bottom of the seventh. Warzek retired the first batter on a strikeout, but conceded back-to-back homers. The bullpen was called upon to hold a narrow lead, but the Cajuns continued the momentum against UNO relievers.
 
Cajuns center fielder Derek Herrington was pressed into action after starter, Kyle Clement was hit on the hand by a pitch and had to leave the game. Herrington tied the game up in the seventh on an RBI single. The Cajuns grabbed the lead for good when Dylon Poncho recorded his first collegiate hit, an RBI single that made it 5-4.
 
The Cajuns added two more runs in the eighth inning, which was more than enough for Dylan Moore who closed out the game by registering a 1-2-3 ninth. The Cajuns were narrowly out-hit on the night at 10-9, but scored six of their runs in their last two innings at the plate.
 
UNO grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning. After the Privateers loaded the bases on two singles and a walk, Calloway scored on a double play ball. That was the first of five double plays the Cajuns infield turned on the night.
 
"We're hitting into too many double plays," said Coach Blake Dean. "I think when we start trying to recreate the game is when it gets worse. We've just got to keep swinging. I thought we swung the bat well tonight, but too many double plays killed us and took the momentum away.
 
The third inning saw UNO add another run onto their lead when Samuel Capielano hit an RBI ground out that scored Robinson. On the night, Robinson had a single, double, and a triple and scored two runs on the evening.
 
The Cajuns were held off the scoreboard until the fifth. Alex Pinero reached on an error and a walk and a bunt single followed to load the bases. Warzek was able to limit the damage though as the Cajuns' only run in the inning came on an RBI sac fly by Joe Robbins. Warzek pitched 6.1 innings and struck out six batters.
 
"I thought Bryan did an unbelievable job," said Dean. "He was cruising so we let him go back out there, but he reached his limit and allowed two home runs, but I thought overall he did a great job and gave us an opportunity to win."
 
Will Bacon picked up the win for the Cajuns after throwing four innings of relief and allowing two runs. Ishmael Edwards was 2-for-3 with the first of two Cajuns homers in the seventh and a run scored. Robbins went 2-for-4 with a homer, two RBIs, and two runs.
 
The Privateers return home to start a three-game series with Pittsburgh on Friday. First pitch for the series opener is at 6:30 p.m.