Mercer goes seven innings, offense breaks through late in UNO win over Nicholls

THIBODAUX, La. – Colton Mercer threw seven strong innings and the offense broke through late as the New Orleans Privateers opened Southland play with a 4-1 win over the Nicholls Colonels on Friday at Didier Field.

Mercer went toe-to-toe with Nicholls starter, Jacob Mayers and it was a scoreless game until the sixth. The Colonels got on the board first as Edgar Alvarez homered to right to make it 1-0 but the offense went to work shortly afterward.

Mayers struck out 12 batters but his pitch count was over 100 by the seventh inning. After Diego Villescas singled with one out, Mayers was taken out of the game. The Privateers then went to work on the bullpen.

Villescas scored on a Nico Saltaformaggio wild pitch to tie the game at 1-1 in the seventh. Then Miguel Useche delivered a clutch two-out, two-run double to give the Privateers their first lead of the night. New Orleans added another run when Dylan Mach scored on a Villescas single in the eighth.

Nathan Blasick came into the game and got the last six outs for his first save of the year. He gave up just one hit over the last two frames and he fielded his position well, snaring a one-hop comebacker in the ninth for the second out before adding another assist for the final out.

This marked the fourth time in the last six seasons the Privateers won the conference opener. They’ve given up two or fewer runs in three of those four wins.

INSIDE THE BOX
Mercer did not walk a batter and struck out seven in an efficient outing. His pitch count finished at 90 for the night. Useche had two doubles and two RBI. Villescas went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Victor Castillo reached base three times with a hit and two walks. The Privateers out-hit Nicholls 8-5 on the night.

Alvarez had three of the Colonels’ five hits. Mayers’ 12 strikeouts were a career-high for an outing.

NEXT UP
The series continues on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

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