Baseball Notches 15 Hits but Falls in Walk-off Fashion to Abilene Christian

Abilene, Texas - The New Orleans Privateers (8-10, 1-3) piled up 15 hits, but could not hold a late lead as they fell 7-6 to the Abilene Christian Wildcats (12-4, 1-3) on Friday evening at Crutcher Scott Field.
 
The Privateers broke a 5-5 tie on a sac fly by Orynn Veillon, his first RBI in his second game back from injury. Cody Ducote lined one that looked ticketed for extra bases, but Seth Watts made a diving catch to end the inning.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, New Orleans walked the bases loaded. After two mid-inning, mid-count pitching changes, Colton Eager played the role of hero for the Wildcats, ripping a walk-off two-run single down the first base line. The win went to Ryan Knowles (1-0) and the loss was charged to Mathew Oset (2-1).
 
New Orleans posted a three-run sixth to grab a 5-2 lead. Ducote and Jacob McFadden led off the frame with a double and single respectively to put runners on first and third. A Collin Morrill single gave New Orleans the lead. Darren Willis followed with a double down the line to score two more runs and chase starter, Garrett Hutson who allowed 12 hits in 5.1 innings.
 
The Wildcats embodied the first syllable of their nickname with a three-run seventh to tie the score at 5-5. A double and one of four errors on the night put runners on the corners. Pinch runner, Zach Smith was thrown out trying to steal second but Riley Donahue scored on the play.
 
The Wildcats loaded the bases later in the inning as the next three batters reached. A wild pitch allowed the first run to score and an ensuing error brought in the tying run to bring the score back to level terms after seven innings.
 
Jay Robinson provided a three-hit night with two doubles and two runs scored. Robinson also had a sac bunt in the sixth that set the stage for Willis' two-run double. Pearce Howard drove in the first two runs of the game with an RBI single in the third and fifth. Bryan Warzek went six innings plus and struck out six. He allowed three runs on six hits.
 
Abilene Christian was led by Eager's four-hit night. Caleb Kyle went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Robert Salazar got the scoring started for the Wildcats with a two-run single in the fourth. Dalon Farkas went 1-for-2 and scored twice.
 
The series continues on Saturday at 2 p.m. Reeves Martin throws for the Privateers and Abilene Christian will send Brock Barger to the hill.
 
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