NEW ORLEANS – Chris Turpin began the afternoon by retiring the first 12 batters faced and the New Orleans Privateers scored four in the fifth inning of a 7-2 win over the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Saturday afternoon at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Baseball Classic.
Gaige Howard doubled twice and walked twice in his first Privateer start. Collin Morrill went 3-for-4 with three RBI. He hit the go-ahead homer in the fifth inning. Antonio Gauthier, Luther Woullard, Beau Bratton, and Darren Willis all added two hits apiece.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Privateers stranded seven runners through the first four innings, but the offense had their big breakthrough in the fifth. Bratton started with a line drive single and Woullard followed with an RBI double that got by Rutgers leftfielder Luke Bowerbank.
With the score tied at 2-2, Collin Morrill sent one over and out for his first homer of the year and chased Rutgers starter, Tevin Murray. New Orleans capped the four-run frame with Gauthier's first hit as a Privateer. His double to left-center scored Howard.
Turpin was automatic to start once again for New Orleans. He retired the first 12 batters faced. However, the Scarlet Knights struck the scoreboard for two runs in the fifth to take a narrow lead. Tim Dezzi began the frame with a double. A walk and a throwing error on a bunt loaded the bases. Peter Serruto was then hit by a pitch which tied the game. Turpin came back to induce a double play off the bat of David Soto.
Turpin's final inning of the day went like his first four as he retired the top of the Scarlet Knights' lineup in order. John Barr took over and picked up right where Turpin left off in his first of three relief innings. Barr retired the side in order in the seventh and nailed the door shut for his first save of the year.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Barr picked up his first save as a Privateer after allowing three hits and a walk in three shutout frames. New Orleans outhit Rutgers 13-4 and drew seven walks at the plate. Turpin allowed just one hit and struck out four batters in six innings of work to collect his second win in as many starts.
FROM COACH DEAN
"I was getting a little frustrated early offensively but once we had that big inning, the guys looked good at the plate. With Pearce (Howard) out of the lineup other guys had to step up and they did today."
"I thought Gaige had good and mature at-bats. He was swinging with intent and he looked confident. I'm glad to see we have another option."
"Chris (Turpin) did a good job of damage control in that fifth inning. We turned that double play and he settled in and gave six great innings for us."
FROM COLLIN MORRILL
On the home run- "It was 2-0 and I was looking fastball. He hung his slider and I just kept my hands back and hit what he gave me."
"I've become a lot more comfortable at first. The transition was a little awkward at first but I'm getting better. I could still learn more on cut-offs and where to be."
"We've had a lot of guys stepping up. We have a bright future ahead of us and we're just looking to keep it going"
NEXT UP
The Privateers will finish the Allstate Sugar Bowl Baseball Classic when they face Butler on Sunday at 1 p.m. Steven Swift will start for New Orleans.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow @Privateers_BSB on Twitter, @Privateers_BSBon Instagram, like /PrivateersBSB on Facebook and subscribe to the PrivateerAthletics YouTube channel.
