Privateers Baseball Starts Five-Game Road Swing at Jackson State

NEW ORLEANS AT JACKSON STATE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20 | 6:00 PM
BRADDY FIELD | JACKSON, MISS.

TWITTER | AUDIO | GAME NOTES (TO BE ADDED LATER..)

NEW ORLEANS – The University of New Orleans baseball team (20-15) now enters a five-game road stretch on a high note when they face the Jackson State Tigers (21-17) on Wednesday at Braddy Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.
 
UNO won the weekend against Northwestern State with a pair of walk-off victories on Saturday and Sunday. Jay Robinson doubled in the ninth and scored the game winner on Saturday. 24 hours later, Robinson's first home run of the season came in walk-off fashion and vaulted UNO up into a tie for seventh in the Southland standings.
 
"They dug deep and responded," said Coach Blake Dean. "They bounced back and figured out how to win some close ball games. The past few years, we've lost the one-run ball games and typically if you win those that could be a big swing. We're doing a better job of winning those games and that builds confidence."
 
The Privateers have been tough to beat in close ball games to the tune of a 7-0 record in one-run games. UNO has also achieved four walk-off wins this season and bolstered their home record to 17-5. The Privateers are also undefeated (15-0) when leading after seven innings this year.
 
Riley Hodge and Shawn Semple had solid outings on the weekend and pitched deep into their respective starts to keep the bullpen fresh coming into their lone mid-week contest. "Those guys did a great job setting us up," said Dean. "We finally got those guys locked in and they were able to save our bullpen arms a bit so we have a chance to get some guys an opportunity to throw this week."
 
UNO has dominated the all-time series with Jackson State, winning 63 of 74 meetings. The Privateers have won the last three games against the Tigers and have scored 36 runs combined in those three wins. UNO defeated Jackson State 13-4 in the first meeting this season at Maestri Field at First NBC Ballpark on March 29.
 
Aaron Palmer has been leading the base stealing barrage for the Privateers of late. Palmer had seven hits on the weekend and stole four bases to move his season total to 12, tied for fifth most in the conference. Since the first meeting against Jackson State, the Privateers are 18-for-19 in steals and have moved up four spots in the Southland in that category.
 
The Tigers have been a steady offensive force throughout. Coached by Omar Johnson who is 10 wins away from 300 for his career, Jackson State is the only team in the SWAC with a batting average over .300. The Tigers are hitting .311 entering the week after splitting a four-game series against Alcorn State.
 
Offensively, Carlos Diaz and Jesus Santana have helped lead the charge. Diaz is one of two players in the SWAC with a batting average over .400 and has a team-leading 45 RBIs. Santana is ranked in the top five in home runs (10) and RBIs (39) entering play.
 
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 Athletics Ticket Office at (504) 280-GAME (4263) or click HERE.
 
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