HAMMOND, La. – In what was a back-and-forth game early, the Southeastern Lions put up a five-run inning twice to defeat the New Orleans Privateers 14-7 on Saturday night at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field. The Sunday contest will now decide the winner of the series and the Pontchartrain Bowl.
Southeastern put up five runs, four of which came with two outs in the fifth to take the lead for good. Jude Hall put the Lions up when he hit a two-run homer as part of an inning where Southeastern sent all nine to the plate.
The Lions then scored five runs in the eighth, all with two outs. With the bases loaded, Jake Haze hit an infield single and a second run came in on an ensuing throwing error. A two-run single by Conner O'Neal and an RBI double from Hall followed.
Jackson Rodriguez finished the game on the mound for his fifth save of the year.
Diego Villescas got the scoring started with a solo home run in his first at-bat of the night. The Lions though got that run back in the second and scored two in the third to take their first lead of the night after three innings.
That advantage was short-lived though as
Maika Niu drilled a double to right-center and advanced to third on the throw. He later scored on a wild pitch as the Privateers tied the score at 3-3.
Parker Coley put the Lions back on top with a solo homer in the fourth but the Privateers grabbed the lead back again in the fifth.
Mitchell Sanford drove a single that scored
Victor Castillo. After a squeeze bunt by
Alexander Saunier, the Privateers re-took the lead 5-4 but that was the last time they led on the night.
INSIDE THE BOX
Villescas reached base three times including his home run.
Issac Williams blasted an eighth inning home run. Niu went 2-for-5 with two RBI.
Nathan Blasick threw two shutout innings and faced the minimum (six batters).
Miguel Useche had a hit and two walks.
Hall drove in four runs for the Lions. Southeastern had 17 hits as a team. Larson Fabre got the win in relief. Rodriguez threw a season-high 61 pitches in the save.
NEXT UP
The series will be decided on Sunday with a first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
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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