Fabelo’s two-run shot gives UNO 8-7 walk-off win over Tulane in 10 innings

WHAT JUST HAPPENED!!!!!!!!!!! @NCAACWS, #SCtop10 @ESPNAssignDesk @rfabelo9 with the walk-off two-run HR in the 10th. New Orleans takes #PelicanCup game one 8-7#504OurCity pic.twitter.com/pFuyowV7V7

— Privateers ⚾️ (@Privateers_BSB) April 3, 2019

NEW ORLEANS – A storybook ending to a marathon game concluded in celebration as Robert Fabelo blasted a shot that came off the glove of right fielder Hudson Haskin over the fence to propel the University of New Orleans to an 8-7 10th inning victory over Tulane University Tuesday evening at Maestri Field.

Making his second start of the season, Fabelo – who entered with just eight at-bats in his first season as a Privateer – put the closing touches on an extra-inning win in game one of the Pelican Cup as Haskin’s attempt to rob the walk-off home run hit off of the outfielder’s glove.

“The momentum shifted in our favor when Luther got on,” said Fabelo. “I know it sounds cliché, but this felt like a movie. I’m sure my family back in Miami are freaking out watching this.”

Fabelo went 2-for-4 with two RBI, Pearce Howard and Luther Woullard added two hits apiece and Salo Iza hit his third home run in the second frame on a similar play that was just out of the reach of a leaping Grant Mathews.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Tulane began the game with back-to-back base hits including a leadoff home run by Trevor Jensen. Bailey Holstein settled down and induced a double play before retiring the side.

In the second, the Privateers erased their deficit with consecutive two-out hits. Fabelo singled in his first at-bat and Iza cleared a leaping Mathews in left field to put UNO in front 2-1.

The Privateers took advantage of a rough defensive third for the Green Wave, posting four runs on three Tulane errors to extend the lead to 6-1.

Kody Hoese hit a solo shot in the fourth and followed with a two-run blast in the fifth to cut the UNO lead to 6-4.

Holstein’s evening was complete after 5.0 frames. The right-hander allowed six hits and punched out two.

Tulane tied the game with two runs in the seventh. In the bottom frame, Darren Willis walked, and Pearce Howard ripped a single to put runners at the corners with one out. However, Justin Campbell entered the game for one out and a hard grounder forced by Connor Pellerin ended the frame.

Reeves Martin struck out two in the ninth to give the Privateers an opportunity to walk off in the series opener versus Tulane for the second consecutive season.

Haskin led off the 10th with a triple that stayed just out of the reach of a diving Pearce Howard. Tulane (19-10) led off the 10th with a triple by Hudson Haskin and David Bedgood drove in the go-ahead run.

The stage was set for a walk-off after Woullard singled to put the tying run on base. Fabelo took a 1-1 pitch to right and it was a celebration for UNO (15-13) after the umpires signaled home run for the junior backstop.

WIN-LOSS RECORD
John Barr (3-3) was credited with the win after striking out two in the 10th. Pellerin (2-2) was charged with the loss after allowing the two runs in 2.2 innings.

NEXT UP
The Privateers host Jackson State University tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Maestri Field.

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