Privateers Baseball Scores Six in Tenth, Defeats Southeastern in Series Opener

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HAMMOND, Louisiana – The University of New Orleans baseball team (29-19, 13-12 Southland) would not be denied as they pushed across six runs in the tenth inning of a 15-9 win over the Southeastern Lions (35-14, 21-4) on Friday at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.
 
UNO gave up a four-run lead on two occasions, but Daniel Martinez struck out Sam Roberson with runners on the corners in the ninth inning to extend the game. The Privateers then exploded for six runs, a barrage started by a Ryan Calloway single and a Preston Marsh double. Ray Veit singled through a drawn in infield to score two.
 
"Tonight our guys were resilient and that's the best way to describe it," said Coach Blake Dean. "They never stop and that's the mark of a championship team. We proved tonight we are starting to move toward that and hopefully we can continue to do it."
 
The Privateers added another run on a bunt by Jay Robinson. The Lions tried to make the throw to third, but an error was committed allowing Veit to score. UNO added on with an RBI single by Dakota Dean, a bases loaded walk by Kyle Bracey, and a sac fly by Calloway. The Privateers batted around and the 15 runs were the most Southeastern has given up in a game this season.
 
Martinez came in with a 9-8 lead in the seventh inning, but the Lions were able to tie it up. Carson Crites led off the inning with a double, but was later caught in a rundown between third and home for the second out. Roberson delivered the tying run though with a double to the gap. It was the only run Martinez gave up as he went the last four innings for the win.
 
"Obviously the run there tied it up in the seventh, but Daniel did a good job to keep it close for our hitters to get it done," said Dean.
 
UNO jumped out quickly against Lions starter, Kyle Cedotal. After singles by Aaron Palmer and Dean, Hezekiah Randolph singled in a run for his first of five RBIs. Then Kyle Bracey homered to left to give UNO a 4-0 lead after the top of the first.
 
The teams traded runs between the bottom of the first and the top of the second. The Lions chopped three runs off the early UNO advantage in the second and tied the game at 5-5 in the third on a Drew Avans home run.
 
The Privateers vaulted back in front against Southeastern's first call out of the pen in Pat Cashman in the fourth inning. Palmer doubled, Samuel Capielano was hit by a pitch, then Dean drew a walk. That set up Randolph who hit a grand slam to left, his second grand slam of the season and his seventh home run. Randolph led the team in hits on the night with four.
 
UNO banged out 18 hits as a team as Bracey added three along with four RBIs. Palmer added three hits and two runs. Dean scored three runs and had two hits while Marsh and Veit each added two hits. Chaz Boyer had to leave the game in the third inning due to an injury. 
 
The Lions were led offensively by Jameson Fisher who went 3-for-5 with two RBIs. Avans, Roberson, Jacob Seward, and Derrick Mount each added two hits. Josh Green took the loss, his second of the season. After working a scoreless eighth and ninth, Green was tagged for all six runs (three earned) in the tenth.
 
The series continues in New Orleans on Saturday at 2 p.m. More information on promotions can be found here. Ochsner will be the game sponsor.
 
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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