Privateers hit five home runs, pull away from Alabama State

NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers slugged five home runs as they pulled away to an 18-7 win after seven innings against the Alabama State Hornets on Sunday afternoon at Maestri Field.

DECISIONS
Colton Mercer picked up the win in relief to move to 2-0. His outing spanned 2.1 innings. The loss went to Ali Lapread (0-1) who did not retire a batter in two faced.

New Orleans (3-4) clawed their way back from an early four-run deficit to take the lead in the fifth on a Mitchell Sanford home run. However, the Hornets struck back with two runs in the top of the sixth. Randy Flores lined a single to left that put Alabama State ahead 7-6.

The Privateer bats had one more grand flurry of run production. Miguel Useche saw the two men ahead of him get on base on a double and a walk. He then cranked a homer to left to give the Privateers a 9-7 lead.

Later in the eight-run inning, Jorge Tejeda blasted a grand slam, the first by a Privateer this season. After Trey Usey pitched a scoreless seventh on the mound, the Privateer offense went right back to work.

Useche doubled down the line with one out. After free passes drawn by the next two in the lineup, Jeissy De la Cruz crushed a ball 448 feet to deep left-center for the game ending grand slam as the run rule took effect.

It was the second consecutive season the Privateers hit a home run to end the game in a run rule against Alabama State (5-3).

The Privateers’ offense pulled the double steal off in the first inning for their first run. With runners on the corners, Tristan Moore stole second and Tyler Bischke broke for home. Bischke was safe without a throw.

INSIDE THE BOX
Furr had three hits, all of them for extra bases and two RBI with two runs. De la Cruz had two hits including the game-ending grand slam. Useche had two hits and three RBI. Anthony Herron Jr. finished with a hit, two walks and three runs.

Kyler McIntosh went 3-for-3 with a homer and three runs. Ian Matos had two hits and Jayden Sloan was 1-for-3 with a homer.

NEXT UP
The Privateers will play the first of three games in the Pelican Cup against Tulane on Wednesday at Turchin Stadium. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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