Dennis records four-inning save as Privateers split doubleheader against McNeese

NEW ORLEANS – Cortez Dennis notched a four-inning save and the New Orleans Privateers split a doubleheader on Saturday. The McNeese Cowboys took a wild first game 18-17 and the Privateers won the nightcap 6-3.

GAME 2
NEW ORLEANS-6 MCNEESE-3
Dennis entered the game in the sixth inning and took flight. The Privateers starter, Edwards ended his outing with his 108th pitch resulting in his eighth strikeout of the night. He got Peyton Stroh swinging to keep the Privateers ahead 6-3.

Dennis, making his second appearance of the week, was automatic in relief. He got the last 12 outs while allowing just two hits and a walk. Dennis also recorded five strikeouts on the night for his second save of the season.

New Orleans struck the board in a big way with a five-run second inning against Alexis Gravel. Two runs came in when Victor Castillo hit a rocket that ricocheted off the pitcher. Diego Villescas followed with a home run on a 3-1 pitch that plated three runs.

The Cowboys got on the board with a run in the fourth and two runs in the fifth inning but were overall limited to five hits by Privateer tandem of Edwards and Dennis in the series finale. For Edwards, it was his fourth win of the season.

Castillo added a solo home run off Max Swenson, which was his eighth of the season. He reached base all five times he came to the plate (two hits, three walks).

The win notched the second series victory over McNeese in the last three seasons. The Privateers are now 8-4 in their last 12 games against the Cowboys.

Villescas and Castillo were responsible for driving in all six runs in the series finale. The Privateers also drew seven walks on the game and 18 for the day.

GAME 1
MCNEESE-18 NEW ORLEANS-17
In a game that featured several wild swings of momentum, the Privateers erased three separate six run deficits but the Cowboys punched across a run in the top of the ninth inning when Grant Mangrum singled to left, driving in Braden Duhon.

Brian Shadrick got the win for McNeese as he retired the side in order. He induced two ground outs but then fell behind 2-0 in the count to Issac Williams. The next pitch was a liner off Williams’ bat but it was caught by Cooper Hext to end a game that took nearly four and a half hours and featured 35 combined hits.

McNeese led for most of the game after they put up six runs in the first inning. However, the Privateers came back with three runs in the bottom of the second. Miguel Useche scored two of those with his 46th career double which ties him for eighth on the career doubles list with Johnny Giavotella.

An inning later, Mitchell Sanford hit the first grand slam by a Privateer this season as his home run splurge continued. The Privateers moved in front 10-9 after the second inning and maintained that advantage until the fifth. The Cowboys plated four runs in that inning to re-take the lead 13-11.

McNeese was ahead 17-11 going into the eighth but the Privateers kept punching back with a resilient offense. Dalton Hurst drove in the first run on an RBI double to right. Then Williams followed with a run-scoring base hit. From there, Cowboy pitchers combined for four walks and a wild pitch that aided in the Privateers pulling within level terms.

It was the first time both teams scored at least 15 runs in a Privateer contest since Mar. 21, 2010 (ULM).

Sanford and Useche combined for nine RBI on four hits. Castillo went 2-for-4 with a double and three runs. Maika Niu stole two bases. Hurst and Collin Loupe each had two RBI. Villescas finished with a hit, two walks and three runs.

Braley Hollins led the offensive charge for McNeese in the first game with two homers and six RBI. Duhon and Elliot Hebert each had four hits.

NEXT UP
The Privateers will travel to Jackson State on Tuesday with a first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. while the Cowboys head home to host Louisiana Christian also on Tuesday evening.

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