Delgado opens conference play with two Saturday wins over Nunez

Delgado opened conference play with a pair of wins over Nunez Community College Saturday afternoon at Noel Suarez Stadium in Chalmette.

In game one, Delgado starting pitcher Luke Barbier went the distance on the mound, holding Nunez to a three hit shutout and facing one batter above the minimum.

Offensively, the Dolphins combined for seven runs on eleven hits, taking an early 2-0 lead in the first on an RBI single by Rhett Centanni and a groundout by Josh Eames. Walker Bazile’s two run home run in the second scored Tripp Haddad, who led off with a single to expand the lead. Haddad’s RBI single in the third scored Logan O’Neill, who reached on a fielder’s choice.

In the fourth, Christian Westcott led off with a single, stole second and advanced on an overthrow and scored on the throw. Walker Bazile singled to score Tripp Haddad for a seventh and final run in the fifth after Haddad stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch before Delgado eventually walked away with a 7-0 win.

In game two, Casey Artigues led off with a single and scored on a two run homerun by Christian Westcott. Nunez cut the lead in half on a fielder’s choice in the second and tied the game on a double in the fourth inning.

The tie carried to the seventh when Jhonnatan Ferrebus led off the frame with a single and pinch runner Cooper Burch stole second and reached third safely on a fielder’s choice before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Tripp Haddad to give Delgado the lead. Walker Bazile safely reached on an infield single to plate Logan O’Neill, who safely reached on the fielder’s choice earlier in the inning.

Closer Brady Schmidt held Nunez scoreless in the seventh to earn his fourth save and lift Delgado to the 4-2 win and the doubleheader sweep. Schmidt closed in relief of Michael Hotard, who entered the game in the fourth inning to earn the win. Starter Josh Pierce pitched into the fourth.

Delgado (23-6, 2-0) and Nunez will meet in a 1:00 game Sunday to close the weekend series.