NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers will continue their slate of home games while stepping out of conference when they open a three-game series against Division II opponent, Bluefield State on Friday night at Maestri Field.
STARTERS
FRIDAY: UNO-LHP
Colton Mercer vs. BLUEFIELD-RHP Will Austin
SATURDAY: UNO-RHP
Grant Edwards vs. BLUEFIELD-LHP Zane Eggleston
SUNDAY: UNO-TBA vs. BLUEFIELD-RHP Zach Powell
New Orleans lost their midweek game 7-4 against Tulane. The game was tied heading into the sixth inning when the Green Wave went ahead for good on a three-run homer by Colin Tuft.
Victor Castillo went 4-for-4 with a homer and a triple in his first game batting leadoff this season.
Colton Mercer has lowered his ERA significantly over his last four starts. Mercer has allowed just two earned runs in his last four outings and has thrown 26.1 innings in that stretch. He dropped his ERA from 7.79 to 3.67 in that span.
New Orleans pitchers have done an effective job at limiting walks this season. Their walk rate is 3.9 per nine innings which ranks second in the Southland only behind Lamar. That total ranks 53rd nationally. Arizona leads the country in fewest walks allowed per nine innings (2.59).
Bluefield State is just the second non-Division I opponent the Privateers have played in
Blake Dean's tenure. Last season, New Orleans won a midweek game against eventual GCAC champion, Dillard 10-0 on Apr. 11, 2023.
This will be the second school from West Virginia that the Privateers have played in program history. New Orleans faced off against West Virginia in a four-game series in 2013 and was swept by the Mountaineers.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
Bluefield State has already had a busy week with three games. They won all three and outscored their opponents collectively 44-10. The Big Blue are 22-11 on the season with a team batting average of .362.
Individually, four players are hitting over .400 with at least 80 at-bats on the season. Korbin Bostic leads the way at a .439 clip. Sunday starter, Zach Powell has been at the head of the pitching staff with a 6-2 record and a 3.20 ERA. Zane Eggleston and Will Austin have combined for just one start this season.
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.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow
@PrivateersBSB on Twitter/X,
@PrivateersBSB on Instagram, like
Privateers Baseball on Facebook and subscribe to the
UNOPrivateers YouTube
