NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers baseball team (15-15, 3-10) fell on the short end of a 7-1 score line against the Southeastern Lions (15-15, 7-3) on Friday night in the opening game of the Pontchartrain Bowl at Maestri Field.
The Lions gained their first lead in the seventh and delivered the decisive blow in the sixth when the plated five runs. Corey Gaconi picked up the win to move to 4-2 while Brandon Mitchell (1-2) took the loss.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Privateers had an opportunity to strike the board first with runners on second and third and one out. However, Gaconi snagged a one-hopper and got an out in a rundown between third and home. Gaconi then got a strikeout to get out of trouble.
The Lions parlayed that momentum into an early 1-0 lead in the third when Preston Faulkner hit his fifth home run of the year. Southeastern added another run to their advantage in the fourth on an RBI single from Nathan Pilutti.
Southeastern stretched out their lead to seven in the sixth. The Lions set the table with two walks and a single to load the bases with no outs. Bryce Steckler drove in the first of five runs in the inning with a sac fly. A two-run single from Cody Grosse, a run on an error, and a solo homer from Kyle Schimpf gave the Lions a 7-0 lead.
Gaconi allowed his first run in the sixth inning. Luther Woullard doubled down the left field line and was brought in a batter later on an RBI single from Gaige Howard.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Christopher DeMayo closed the game on the mound for New Orleans with three scoreless innings. Mitchell struck out five batters in five plus frames. The Privateers drew two walks against Gaconi who came in with two free passes issued all season.
NEXT UP
The series closes with a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Chris Turpin will face Mason Knopp in the first game. Steven Swift is scheduled to get the ball in the second game of the day against Southeastern's Will Warren.
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