Bratton’s three-hit day, strong Privateer pitching key win over Virginia Tech

NEW ORLEANS – Kyle Arjona pitched five solid innings and the New Orleans Privateers baseball team (4-3) got two solo home runs in a 4-2 victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies (1-5) on Saturday at Maestri Field in the Allstate Sugar Bowl Baseball Classic.

Arjona got his first starting call of the season and pitched five innings of one-run ball. Arjona struck out five batters in his time on the mound and picked up the win. Four Privateer pitchers combined to hold the Hokies to one run over the remaining four innings.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hokies got the tying run to second in the ninth inning, but Eric Orze, who was tasked with getting the save, got Cam Irvine to strike out looking to end the game. It was the ninth strikeout for Privateer pitching on the afternoon.

New Orleans got on the board in the second inning. Jacob McFadden led off the frame by drawing a walk against starter, Dylan Hall. After moving to second, McFadden was driven in on the first of three hits by Beau Bratton.

The Privateers tacked on runs in the second and third on solo homers. Owen Magee delivered a one-out solo shot to left. Bratton followed with a solo homer to right field to push the Privateers lead to 3-0 after three innings.

Arjona repeatedly got out of jams in his five innings. The Hokies stranded 15 runners in total on the afternoon and stranded multiple runners in five of the nine innings.

Virginia Tech clawed their way back within a run. The Hokies got a solo homer from Tom Stoffel in the fifth. Jack Owens followed by drawing an RBI bases loaded walk in the sixth. John Michael Stephens then came in for the Privateers with the lead at 3-2 and induced a pop fly to shallow center to keep New Orleans ahead.

The Privateers added an insurance run in the eighth inning. A lead-off double by McFadden was followed by a sacrifice bunt from Jared McKay. The Hokies intentionally walked Bratton to get to Darren Willis, but the sophomore came through with a sac fly to drive in an insurance run.

QUOTES FROM COACH DEAN
ON STARTER, KYLE ARJONA
“Kyle did a great job for us today. We wanted him to give us five innings and we could piece it together after that and he gave us five good innings. He stepped up today and I’m very proud of him.”

ON OFFENSIVE ADJUSTMENTS
“We’re learning. The guys made adjustments and Beau had a great game and we found a way to hold the lead.”

ON BULLPEN
“We’ve got some guys in our bullpen who give us a chance. There’s so many options, we’re moving guys around to see who is the best fit in what situation. Those guys are settling in and still trying to find roles.”

ON DARREN WILLIS
“I’m so proud of what he (Darren) is doing. I thought defensively he’d ben solid, but what he’s doing at the bottom of the order for us is special. If he keeps doing that, he’ll give us a chance to score some more runs.”

WHAT’S NEXT
The Privateers will close the weekend against Iowa. First pitch is slated for 12 p.m.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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