NEW ORLEANS – Reminiscent of the first of three matchups,
Collin Morrill scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch in the ninth inning and
Reeves Martin needed just 12 pitches to shut the door in the bottom frame as the University of New Orleans (14-15) defeated Tulane University (12-18) 3-2 Tuesday evening at Greer Field at Turchin Stadium.
Tuesday clinched several marks for UNO – the five-game win streak is the first since the beginning of last season, the first victory at Tulane since March 9, 2013 and clinched the Pelican Cup for the Privateers.
WIN-LOSS RECORD
John Barr (2-2) picked up the win in 1.1 innings of work and Martin earned his third save in as many games. Sam Bjorngjeld (1-2) was tagged with the loss after allowing the double in the ninth.
Cody Ducote went 2-for-4 with an RBI,
Collin Morrill doubled to begin the top of the ninth and
Orynn Veillon and
Jay Robinson each picked up a double.
COACH DEAN
ON TONIGHT'S PITCHING
"Our staff got out of tough situations tonight and I am happy with our performance. We did a good job eliminating damage."
ON FIVE-GAME WIN STREAK
"Our pitching is a lot better, our bullpen has improved and defense is playing extremely well. We've improved on some of our mistakes earlier in the year and these wins continue to show how well we are playing."
ON BACKEND OF BULLPEN
"Reeves is very versatile in the backend and I am very confident in handing the ball to John and Reeves with a lead in the later innings."
ON DEFENSE LATE IN GAME
"Pearce's play was huge, potentially saving a run and the double play on the foul bunt ended the inning. Those plays keep momentum in our favor."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Privateers and Green Wave were scoreless through three, but New Orleans struck in the fourth as a one-out Veillon double was followed by a Ducote RBI base knock to put UNO in front 1-0. Two batters later, Robinson's double down the right field line extended the lead to 2-0.
A solo home run in the bottom of the fourth cut the UNO lead to 2-1 and the pitching staff kept Tulane to the lone run until a solo shot cleared the fence in the seventh to knot things at 2-2.
In the eighth, the Green Wave lined a shot to right center but
Pearce Howard made the play of the game, diving for the first out of the inning on what could have potentially scored the go-ahead run (runner on first led off with infield single). Not to be outdone, Morrill turned two on a squeeze play that was popped up in foul territory as he secured the bunt and threw to
Owen Magee to end the inning and send the clubs to the ninth tied at 2-2.
Morrill led off the ninth with a double and advanced to third on
Devin Morrill's bunt. Moments later, Collin came around to score on a wild pitch, reminiscent of the first matchup earlier this season, to put UNO in front 3-2.
Martin eased his way with nine strikes (12 total pitches) and two strikeouts in the win.
John Michael Stephens tossed 3.0 scoreless in the no-decision. Tulane threatened in the third but the southpaw was able to strand two runners. In the inning, Magee's throw to
Beau Bratton beat the Green Wave baserunner to get the would-be first run of the game out at the plate.
NEXT UP
New Orleans continues its road trip in Beaumont with a three-game set at Lamar University Friday-Sunday.
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