HOUSTON, Texas –
Victor Castillo hit his sixth home run of the season but the HCU Huskies took a fourth inning lead and pulled away in the back half of the game to defeat the New Orleans Privateers 7-1 on Saturday at Husky Field.
Castillo's solo homer to left off HCU starter, Parker Edwards gave the Privateers a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning. However, HCU quickly responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame to take a lead that they did not relinquish.
Samuel Benjamin led off the inning with a solo homer to left that tied the game 1-1. Tyler LaRue followed with a single then stole second with two outs. He was driven in on a Trent Baker single that gave the Huskies a 2-1 advantage.
The Huskies loaded the bases in the fifth inning with one out on two hits and a hit batter. Then Benjamin, who featured for HCU on the day, singled to drive in a pair of runs and push the HCU lead to 4-1.
New Orleans threatened to at least get some of that back as they had two hits in the sixth but Nicholas Willard recorded a strikeout to strand runners on the corners.
Defensively, the Privateers executed a 7-6-2 relay for an out at the plate, a running catch in deep right field and a pickoff to record the three outs in the sixth. However, New Orleans could not mount a rally against Willard who went the rest of the way for a four-inning save. He allowed two hits and a walk and recorded seven strikeouts.
INSIDE THE BOX
Castillo went 1-for-4 with a homer.
Diego Villescas,
Issac Williams and
Miguel Useche each had a hit.
Grant Edwards threw 5.2 innings on the mound. Edwards and
Ryan Delorbe combined for five strikeouts to one walk.
Mitchell Sanford stole two bases.
HCU was led by Benjamin's two homers and five RBI. Baker went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Lane Sparks finished 1-for-3 with two runs.
NEXT UP
The series winner will be determined with a 2 p.m. first pitch on Sunday.
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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