Privateers Baseball Strikes Big Early, Cruises Past Southern

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NEW ORLEANS – The University of New Orleans baseball team struck early and in loud fashion with 10 runs in the second inning and cruised to a 14-4 win in a run rule over the Southern Jaguars (2-9) on Tuesday at Maestri Field at First NBC Ballpark. The Privateers are now 10-2, marking the fastest a UNO squad reached 10 wins since 1996.
 
UNO starter Hunter Medine picked up the win and got a boost from catcher, Chase Caldarera in the first. Medine faced runners on the corners with one out when Southern's Troy Lewis made a late break for second. Caldarera threw Lewis out and Medine got a fly out to end the frame. After pitching a routine second inning, the Privateer bats went to work.
 
"That's what we're going to have to do in our mid-week games," said Coach Blake Dean. "We've got to score a lot of runs because it's going to help save our pitching and give us an opportunity to extend guys more than we usually would to see what we're capable of. Hunter did a decent job. I wish I could have extended him a little further, but he did well for us."
 
It started when Kyle Bracey, who played first base for the night, cranked a solo home run to lead off the frame. UNO loaded the bases, but Southern had a chance to get out of the frame. A ground ball to short hit by Aaron Palmer was booted though and a run scored while the frame continued. The Privateers continued to pile on as Bracey hit a two-run homer, Dakota Dean added a two-run double, and Caldarera parked a two-run shot to give the Privateers a 10-0 lead.
 
"I thought Chase did a great job," said Dean. "He went out there and gave Bracey a rest. He swung the bat, he was aggressive and throwing that runner out set the tone. He kept those guys at bay and let us get the momentum on our side."
 
The Jaguars scored in the third when Marcus Hodge hit a sacrifice fly to left that scored Jacob Juge. However, the Privateers were in command throughout the night. Medine was lifted after four innings plus three batters and Zach Wilson was brought in with the bases loaded, no outs and an 11-1 lead. Wilson proceeded to strike out the side, allowing only one run to cross on a wild pitch.
 
Wilson picked up the save by going the final three innings and striking out seven batters. The Jaguars nearly avoided the run rule when they scored two runs in the seventh on a double by Dondrayas Harris. Wilson walked the next batter before retiring pinch hitter, Anthony Valdes on a line out to end the game. Wilson struck out seven batters in three innings.
 
"Zach came in and did a good job," said Dean. "The only problem I have is he came out and put two guys on before he started to locate. I'd like to see him get on and off the field within the three hitters in higher pressure situations. He threw very well tonight and his curve ball was working well."
 
UNO got offensive contributions throughout the lineup including Bracey who went 3-for-5 with three RBI and became the first Privateer with two homers in a game since 2012. Caldarera went 1-for-3 with two runs and three RBI. Dean added three hits, three RBI, and two runs. Jay Robinson went 3-for-4 and Ryan Calloway drew four walks and scored twice.
 
Robinson Mateo and Marcus Hodge each went 2-for-3. Harris drove in two runs and also drew two walks. Juge walked twice and scored twice. Jarod Jarreau gave up 12 hits and 13 runs, but only four of those runs were earned. Josh Sparks pitched the final two innings in the shortened game and gave up four hits and a run.
 
The Privateers will next face Tulane in the first game of the First NBC Cup on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Season tickets for the 2016 campaign are available for as low as $125 and single-game tickets start at $5. For additional information, contact the UNO Atheltics Ticket Office at (504) 280-GAME (4263) or log on to the internet at http://www.unoprivateers.com.
 
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