THIBODAUX, La. – The New Orleans Privateers baseball team (9-5, 1-2) fell behind early after giving up three first inning runs in a 9-1 loss to the Nicholls Colonels (9-8, 2-1) on Sunday at Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray E. Didier Field.
The Colonels doubled their lead in the sixth inning as the Privateers committed two of their four errors on the afternoon in that frame. Dillon Belle and Austin France had an RBI sac fly and RBI single respectively to push the advantage to 6-0. Shane Mejia (3-0) pitched five shutout innings for the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Colonels struck the scoreboard early with a three-run first inning. The first three Nicholls hitters loaded the bases. Two batters later, Austin France reached on a fielder's choice that scored the first run. Ethan Valdez followed with a bases loaded walk and Chris Sandberg delivered a two-out single.
Nicholls threatened to open the lead more in the middle innings, but Privateers starter Chris DeMayo persevered in a couple of tight spots. The Colonels loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth, but DeMayo recovered to induce a fly out to shallow right and a pop out to get around that threat. An inning later, DeMayo faced bases loaded again, this time with no outs. Again, the junior southpaw responded by keeping the Colonels from adding to their advantage.
The Privateers threatened a significant dent in the scoreboard in the seventh as they loaded the bases with one out on two singles and a walk. However, Nicholls reliever Colin Kramer escaped with just one run allowed on a sac fly.
INSIDE THE BOX
DeMayo (0-1) threw five innings after being extended to 32 pitches in the first inning. He allowed four hits and struck out two batters.
Gaige Howard went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles.
Pearce Howard went 1-for-4 with a double.
Salo Iza drew a pair of walks and reached base three times.
Brady Bell and Ivan Prejean each delivered two hits for the Colonels who had 10 as a team. Champ Davison went 1-for-3 with a double and two runs. Brandon Andrews pitched the final two innings to finish out the victory for Nicholls.
UP NEXT
The Privateers will travel to Lafayette to take on the Ragin' Cajuns on Tuesday, Mar. 12. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m.
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