Lions use big first inning to eliminate Privateers

HAMMOND — An arguably sharp turnaround from a late-night extra inning contest proved no obstacle for No. 6 Southeastern Friday afternoon, downing No. 3 New Orleans 11-5 in the second elmination game of Friday’s action at the Southland Baseball Championship.

The win marks the second of the tournament for the Lions against the Privateers after falling in two of the three regular season matchups at Alumni Field. Southeastern has scored 21 runs in the postseason games between the clubs.

Aiden Vosburg went the distance for Southeastern, pitching a complete game with five earned runs on seven hits and seven strikeouts.

Parker Coley and Jake Haze both powered the Lion offense with three-hit games. Coley’s line ended three-of-six with one RBI while Haze went three-of-five with two RBI and a walk. Connor O’Neal finished two-of-three including a home run with four RBI and a walk.

Victor Castillo headlined the UNO batting with a two-of-four day at the plate with a home run and two RBI. Issac Williams went two-of-three with two doubles.

A Rhett Rosevear double put the Lions in front 1-0 and positioned two runners in scoring position. Jake Haze sent them home with an RBI single. TJ Salvaggio would reach base on an ensuing at bat before O’Neal raked a three-run blast to right center, doubling the lead and making the score 6-0 before UNO had an at bat.

An answer from the Privateers came quick when Diego Villescas drove the first Southeastern pitch over the wall for a home run to cut into the deficit. Issac Williams poked an RBI double to left center in the second and UNO moved within 6-2.

Ryan Brome shifted momentum back to the Lions with an RBI single in the fourth and Jude Hall drove in one more run off his RBI double in the fifth.

Vosburg continued to shove through the Privateers lineup from the third inning until the seventh, allowing one hit in that stretch. The Privateers offense found some life in the eighth inning. Williams doubled to the left corner and Castillo barrelled a two-run home run to right that made it 10-4.

Coley shut the door on the comeback attempt with a solo shot to start the ninth inning. Bryce Calloway added one more home run to the Privateers total, but Vosburg dealth through the final inning and ended the game on a strikeout.
The Lions will meet No. 2 Nicholls in Friday evening’s second semifinal game, one night removed from the teams’ extra inning duel.