NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Alex Palmer pitched a complete game for the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (23-30, 15-13) who won a 2-1 battle against the New Orleans Privateers (28-26, 12-16) on Thursday at Jaycess Field.
The win secured a spot in the conference tournament for Stephen F. Austin. Palmer threw 116 pitches and struck out eight in his third complete game of the season.
WIN-LOSS
Palmer moved to 6-6 with the victory. The loss went to Brandon Mitchell (3-4). Mitchell threw seven innings and gave up two runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts.
HOW IT HAPPENED
New Orleans got the tying run on to lead off the ninth when Tresten Kennard drew a leadoff walk against Palmer. Then the Lumberjacks starter bounced back to get the next three batters with two strikeouts.
Stephen F. Austin got the early jump with a run in the second and another in the third. The Lumberjacks collected five hits, two walks, and a hit-by-pitch in that span. The first run came across on an RBI fielder's choice from Carson Clowers.
In the third, Stephen F. Austin made it 2-0. A one-out single by Brandon Uhse was followed by a steal of second. Four batters later with the bases loaded, Josh Campbell delivered his second hit of the night, a line drive single on a 3-1 count.
The Privateers broke through on the scoreboard in the eighth inning. Jorge Tejeda led off the inning by drawing a four-pitch walk. Two batters later, a double by Collin Morrill put two in scoring position. An RBI ground out from Wade Raburn punched across the first run but Brandon Uhse snagged a line drive in right field off the bat of Pearce Howard.
INSIDE THE BOX
Raburn collected two hits in four at-bats. Mitchell retired his last 10 batters on the evening and didn't allow a hit after the third. Mathew Oset struck out two batters in a scoreless eighth. Pearce extended his hitting streak to nine game with a first inning single.
NEXT UP
The series continues with a 6 p.m. scheduled first pitch on Friday. Chris Turpin will get the ball for the Privateers. Trayson Kubo is scheduled to start for Stephen F. Austin.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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