Baseball Advances To Southland Conference Semifinals With 7-4 Victory Over Lions

BOX SCORE (PDF)

SUGAR LAND, Texas – In a season that has seen the University of New Orleans baseball team continue to set program records, the Privateers added another notch on its belt with a 7-4 victory over Southeastern Louisiana, setting the club's record for the most wins in the Southland Conference Tournament and sending UNO to its first SLC Semifinal.

Senior Hezekiah Randolph did all he could to keep his illustrious collegiate career alive, going 3-4 at the plate with three RBI and a home run to extend his final season as a Privateer by at least one more game.

"It was an unbelievable battle!" head coach Blake Dean proclaimed. "We were constantly putting pressure on Southeastern and got strong outings from our pitchers to keep a pretty good SLU offense silent. This team is starting to believe in itself, which makes them dangerous for any team we come across from here on out."

New Orleans (30-27-1) led the entire contest, using Randolph's second home run in as many days in the opening inning to give the Privateers the early 2-0 lead. Southeastern Louisiana (36-20) cut into the deficit with a solo homer in the third, but three unanswered runs by UNO extended the advantage to 5-1.

The two sides exchanged balks for runs in the sixth, while a single from senior Dakota Dean scored junior catcher John Cable and gave UNO its biggest lead of the contest at 7-2. Needing five runs in the ninth inning, SLU hit back-to-back homers to cut the deficit down to four before three-straight outs ended the game.

Senior shortstop Aaron Palmer and Cable joined Randolph with multiple hits with two apiece, while Cable and Dean each contributed a RBI. Senior second baseman Samuel Capielano scored two runs for the Privateers, matching Cable and Randolph for the team-high.

Freshman right-handed pitcher Reeves Martin got the victory on the mound after holding the Lions without a hit in 3.2 innings, with one unearned run coming from three walks and one balk. Senior righty Riley Hodge and allowed one run off one hit in 2.1 innings with three strikeouts and one walk, while freshman southpaw Christopher DeMayo closed out the final 3.0 innings with two runs allowed off four hits with four strikeouts to get his third save of the season.

UNO held the Lions to just five hits, with no batter posting more than one hit. Koestler Carlisle tossed a game-high 4.1 innings and allowed five runs, three earned, off five hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

"We are going to have our hands full this afternoon," Dean commented on the Privateers next battle. "Our bullpen is going to be tested as we go into our fourth game in three days but that's the beauty of the tournament, one of the steps up and they become a hero among their teammates for keeping our season alive."

Privateers are back in action at 4 p.m. today when they take on Sam Houston State at 4 p.m.. For tickets to future Privateers athletic events, contact the UNO Athletics Ticket Office at (504) 280-GAME (4263) and season tickets can be purchased over the Internet by clicking HERE.