Late rally falls short, UNO drops one-run decision to Abilene Christian

Abilene, Texas – The New Orleans Privateers (8-11, 1-4 Southland) saw a late rally fall short in a 6-5 loss to the Abilene Christian Wildcats (13-4, 2-3) on Saturday afternoon at Crutcher Scott Field.

The Privateers clawed back from down three to get within a run heading into the ninth. Derek Scott was brought in from left to close the game and he induced two ground outs along with a strikeout for his first save of the season.

New Orleans started their rally attempt from a 5-2 deficit with a two-run seventh. Collin Morrill and Jay Robinson strung together back-to-back one-out singles. After a wild pitch moved both runners up, the Privateers scored on an RBI ground out by Darren Willis and an RBI double from Pearce Howard to cut the Abilene Christian lead to 5-4.

However, the Wildcats answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame. Back-to-back doubles started the seventh and stretched the Abilene Christian lead to 6-4. The Privateers got that run back in the eighth on an RBI double by Cody Ducote, and had the tying run on second with one out. The inning wound up ending on a lineout into a double play.

The Privateers were ahead 2-1 entering the fifth, but Abilene Christian made a significant dent over the next two frames. The Wildcats had two singles to start the fifth inning, which set the stage for a Scott two-run single. Robert Salazar followed with an RBI double to vault the Wildcats to a 4-2 lead.

Abilene Christian added another run in the sixth to expand their lead to three. Zack Mausser reached on the Privateers’ first and lone error of the afternoon. Three batters later, a ground out on a high chopper toward second against a drawn in infield allowed the run to score.

Veillon collected three hits and had an RBI and a run. Owen Magee added two hits and scored a run. Reeves Martin (0-3) struck out seven batters in 4.1 innings but took the loss. Three Privateer pitchers (Matthew Gillis, Rafael Martinez, and Rafe Schindler) allowed two hits and two runs (one earned) over the remainder of the game.

The Wildcats collected 11 hits on the afternoon. Salazar had the big day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI. Riley Donahue also doubled twice in three at-bats. Barger picked up the win to move to 2-0.

The Privateers will look to pick off the series finale on Sunday at 1 p.m. John Michael Stephens will get the ball for New Orleans. Colton Brasher will start for the Wildcats.

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