Privateers score two in ninth inning, secure wild walk-off win against McNeese

NEW ORLEANS – Dalton Hurst reached on a fielding error and Bryce Calloway scored the game-winning run as the New Orleans Privateers notched a 6-5 win over the McNeese Cowboys on Friday night at Maestri Field.

JT Moeller stayed on to try to shut the door in the bottom of the ninth after McNeese grabbed the lead in the top of the frame but Mitchell Sanford greeted him with a solo home run to the opposite field, which tied the game at 5-5.

Calloway drew a walk and Loupe hit a ground ball that snuck through the right side and he legged out a double while Calloway moved to third. Dalton Hurst then reached on a fielding error at first base as Calloway crossed the plate and the Privateers moved their conference record to 7-3.

The Privateers took a sixth inning lead when Sanford came up with the bases loaded and two outs. He drilled a single that deflected off the pitcher, JT Moeller and went behind the mound. Collin Loupe and Victor Castillo both scored on the play.

Ryan Delorbe, who was first call out of the pen got the Privateers out of a bases loaded jam with no outs. The Cowboys did score a run to tie the game but Delorbe settled in and went to the ninth with a 4-2 advantage.

However, McNeese broke through to take the lead in the ninth. Chase Keeton led off the inning with a pinch hit home run. Delorbe then got the next two men out on strikeouts but Connor Westenburg singled and stole second. That brought it to Elliot Hebert who tripled off the wall.

Two batters later, Braden Duhon hit a dribbler up the third base line off Nathan Blasick that worked for an infield single, which put McNeese in front 5-4. Blasick struck out the next batter to get out of any further trouble.

INSIDE THE BOX
There were five combined runs in the ninth inning. Sanford went 4-for-4 with four RBI. Loupe finished with three hits and a run scored. Hurst drew two walks and stole a base. Delorbe worked 4.2 innings and struck out six batters.

Westenburg stole three bases for McNeese. Cooper Hext finished 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored. LeJeune allowed eight hits and four runs over 5.2 innings.

NEXT UP
The series closes with a doubleheader on Saturday. The determination was made on Friday afternoon to move the schedule around and finish on Saturday. First pitch for the first game is at 2 p.m. First pitch for the second game will be 45 minutes upon conclusion of game one.

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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