NATCHITOCHES, La. – The New Orleans Privateers scored in every inning and held off a late charge to defeat the Northwestern State Demons 18-15 on Friday night at Brown-Stroud Field in a game that spanned over four hours with a nearly 40-minute lightning delay in between.
The Privateers led by as many as 12 runs on two separate occasions as they were nearing a run-rule victory after seven. However, the Demons scored seven runs in the seventh inning to keep the game going into the last two frames.
Nathan Blasick stranded the tying run on base in the eighth inning to keep New Orleans ahead. He struck out Daniel Burroway to end the frame and send it to the ninth with the Privateers leading 17-15.
An
Alexander Saunier double scored
Mitchell Sanford to extend the Privateers' lead to three. Blasick went back out in the ninth inning and retired the side in order to preserve a victory where eight starters got a hit and eight of the nine starters scored a run.
Miguel Useche was a big part of the early offense with an RBI single in the fourth and a three-run homer in the third inning. He wound up with a six-RBI night and landed a triple shy of the cycle. Useche also hit his 49
th career double to tie Brian Traxler for fourth on the career list.
New Orleans also had four sac flies on the night including two from
Victor Castillo. One of them scored a pair of runs. Six Privateers collected multiple hits on the night led by Sanford who went 4-for-5.
As a team, New Orleans drew seven walks on the night. Sanford stole two bases and Villescas swiped his tenth bag of the season.
INSIDE THE BOX
Colton Mercer picked up sixth win of the season after he went five innings and struck out six with two walks. Mercer waited through a 38-minute delay to strike out Colin Rains and needed just one more pitch to get through the second. Villescas went 3-for-5 with three runs.
Maika Niu hit a home run, his sixth of the year.
Dalton Hurst and
Issac Williams combined for four hits and four runs scored.
Hayden Knotts went 4-for-5 with a homer and four RBI. Reese Lipoma had three hits and scored three runs. Balin Valentine and Braden Benton combined for five RBI.
NEXT UP
The series continues with a 2 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.
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
