NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers were one strike away from taking a split of a doubleheader but the Lamar Cardinals got a pinch hit two-run double to take a ninth inning lead. They closed out a 10-9 win in the bottom of the ninth after winning the first game of the day 12-3.
With both wins, Lamar has clinched at least a share of the regular season title.
GAME TWO
LAMAR-10 NEW ORLEANS-9
With two outs, Scott Jones was called upon to bat. Hours after making his first start in the front end of a doubleheader, Jones hit a line drive to right that scored a pair of runs to give the Cardinals the lead. From there, Austin Neal retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth for his seventh save of the year.
The Privateers and Cardinals endured a 53-minute lightning delay with Lamar already ahead 4-0 in the second inning. New Orleans came back swinging the bats as
Bryce Calloway blasted a two-run homer to get the Privateers on the board.
A four-run fifth inning brought New Orleans on level terms.
Issac Williams dropped a single into left field that scored a pair of run to tie the game. The Privateers also drew two walks and a hit by pitch in the frame.
Mitchell Sanford led off the sixth with a double and
Maika Niu hit a line drive that was called foul. Upon review, the call stood and Foster Kreutzer got a strikeout two pitches later to keep the game tied.
The Privateers went ahead in the seventh.
Dylan Mach singled up the middle then got to third on a sac bunt and a wild pitch later in the frame.
Issac Williams hit a ball deep enough to right field that scored Mach on a sac fly.
GAME ONE
LAMAR-12 NEW ORLEANS-3
The Cardinals set a new single game high with six home runs including three consecutive in one inning. Brooks Caple solidified the win on the mound, his seventh of the year as the Cardinals eliminated the Privateers from contention for the regular season title with the first win of the day.
Niu put the Privateers ahead early when he hit a solo home run, his first of two on the day. Outside of that, it was a pitchers' duel that developed early with the game staying at 1-0 into the fourth.
That's when Lamar countered with a three-run homer by Ethan Ruiz. It was part of a two-homer day by Ruiz as the Cardinals plated four in that inning to take a lead.
In the seventh, Ruiz became part of a trio of consecutive homers. He was surrounded by Tanner Wilson and Drake Varnado who also homered to help extend the Cardinals lead to 9-2.
RECAP OF THE DAY
Miguel Useche hit three doubles to move his career total to 52, which is two shy of tying the career mark at New Orleans set by Scott Schwaner.
Nathan Blasick threw three scoreless innings in the second game of the day. Calloway hit his fourth homer in the last six games. The results mean New Orleans will be the 3-seed in the Southland Tournament.
NEXT UP
The series is scheduled to close with a 1 p.m. first pitch on Friday.
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!
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