NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers baseball team fell behind in the first inning and could not recover as they fell 12-3 to the Georgia State Panthers on Friday evening in the season opener at Maestri Field.
The Panthers hit 110 home runs last season and 79 of those returned this year. That was on display early when Luke Boynton hit his first of two home runs on the night in the first inning to give Georgia State a 2-0 advantage.
Privateer starter,
Colton Mercer settled in and kept the Panthers scoreless for the next three innings while working efficiently through a tough lineup.
Meanwhile, the offense got chances through free passes. They had multiple runners on in each of the first three innings but could not punch a run across in that time. The Privateers stranded 16 runners on the evening.
The Panthers hit five home runs on the evening. One each in the fifth and sixth frame extended the lead to 4-0. The Panthers really pulled away in the seventh and eighth inning as they had eight runs on eight hits in that span.
New Orleans got on the scoreboard in the seventh inning with two runs.
Issac Williams reached on catcher's interference with the bases loaded to score the first run.
Mitchell Sanford drove in the second on a sac fly to cut the deficit to 7-2 but the Panthers responded with five in the eighth inning.
In total, the Privateers had 13 free passes (10 walks, three hit batters). The Privateer pitching staff only conceded five free passes (four walks, one hit batter).
INSIDE THE BOX
New Orleans was limited to five hits from five different players.
Diego Villescas reached base four times and had a double. Sanford doubled and walked in five plate appearances.
Miguel Useche and
Victor Castillo each reached base three times.
The Panthers had three-RBI nights from Boynton and Henry Koehler. Michael Maginnis and Colin Hynek each had two RBI. The Panthers pitching staff offset the free passes by recording 14 strikeouts on the mound.
NEXT UP
The series continues with a 6:30 p.m. first pitch on Saturday.
WE ARE YOUR KREWE
For 54 seasons, Privateer student-athletes have had the unique experience of wearing New Orleans across their chests. Like the city itself, our sports teams have been fueled by resiliency, grit, and the unquenchable desire to win. Our city also houses the nation's biggest celebration each year. And much like a Mardi Gras parade krewe, we are tethered to our community through pride, tradition, a culture of acceptance, and finally our commitment to show that New Orleans is a world-class city to live, learn, play and work. We invite you to become more involved with the only University that truly represents New Orleans all day, every day. Join #NOLAsTeam, We Are Your Krewe!
Visit UNOPrivateers.com/signup to stay connected and follow us @UNOPrivateers on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
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