Five-run eighth highlights 16-8 UNO victory over Chicago State

NEW ORLEANS – The offense came in bunches and the Privateers scored 16 runs in four innings and recorded eight extra-base hits in the 16-8 victory over Chicago State (0-4) Friday evening at Maestri Field. Four players finished with two-plus hits for New Orleans (3-1) on day one of the Allstate Sugar Bowl Baseball Classic.

Luther Woullard went 4-for-6 with two doubles and three RBI, Pearce Howard added three hits, three RBI and two doubles, Darren Willis rounded out the order with a 3-for-5, two RBI and two doubles performance and Wade Raburn added two base knocks and three ribbies.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Brandon Mitchell cruised through the leadoff inning and back-to-back-to-back one-out singles by Raburn, Howard, and Woullard loaded the bases for New Orleans. However, Anthony Leedle was able to escape unscathed and we were scoreless after one.

Bailey Holstein entered the game with the bases loaded and the right-hander came up big with a 6-4-3 double play and pop out to end the inning with the damage limited to two runs on the one hit. The runs were charged for Friday’s starter Mitchell, who went 1.0-plus, allowing the hit and two walks.

The Privateers struck back with three in the bottom of the second to take a 3-2 lead. Collin Morrill led off with a single and Willis’ double down the right-field line put runners in scoring position for the top of UNO’s order. Morrill scored on a wild pitch and Raburn’s sacrifice fly tied the game at 2-2. The reigning Southland Conference Hitter of the Week went oppo for a double to give the ‘Teers a 3-2 edge.

Holstein followed with two scoreless and New Orleans tacked on four more on a two-run double by Woullard, RBI triple by Beau Bratton and a wild pitch.
Chicago State regained the lead with six runs on five hits in the fifth, 8-7.

Mathew Oset tossed a scoreless sixth and the Privateer scored four runs on three hits to take an 11-8 lead, highlighted by Willis’ two-run double.

A big eighth with five runs with extra-base hits for Woullard and Howard made it 16-8 UNO.

WIN-LOSS RECORD
Oset (1-0) earned his first victory of the season with three scoreless frames and six punchouts. On the year, the right-hander has been lights out, allowing just three hits in 8.1 innings with 11 strikeouts. Dylan Cumming (0-2) was charged with the loss after allowing four runs in 2.1 frames.

NEXT UP
The Privateers take on Rutgers University tomorrow at 1 p.m. on day two of the Allstate Sugar Bowl Baseball Classic.

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