Privateers pull away late, run rule Alabama State

NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Privateers baseball team finished off their opening weekend in style as they pulled away late to a 10-0 victory in eight innings over the Alabama State Hornets on the final day of the Andre Dawson Classic.

With the win, the Privateers are the only team to go unbeaten in the first weekend in the Southland Conference.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Collin Horton started off his day with pinpoint accuracy and efficiency. Horton retired the side in order with two strikeouts in his first inning as a Privateers. He only allowed two hits overall in 5.1 shutout innings of work.

The Privateers hit the scoreboard in the third inning. Amani Larry drew a walk to load the bases for Pearce Howard who promptly unloaded them with a line drive double to left center that scored three runs.

Alabama State loaded the bases against Horton in the sixth with one out and Jack Williams was called on out of the pen. Facing the clean-up hitter, Hunter May, Williams induced a ground ball that turned into an inning ending double play.

With renewed vigor, the Privateers piled on, scoring four runs in the seventh. Miguel Useche had a two-run single during the course of the inning.

The run rule came into effect when with two outs in the eighth, Larry hit his first home run as a Privateer, a line drive to left that scored three runs.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Larry scored three runs to go along with his three RBI. Anthony Herron Jr. walked twice and was 1-for-2 with an RBI. Jeissy De la Cruz had a hit and two runs scored. Jorge Tejeda finished with a hit and three runs.

Horton got the win and struck out four in his Privateer debut. Cole Paplham retired the side in order with a strikeout in his Privateer debut.

NEXT UP
The Privateers will open a three-game series against Kansas on Friday, Feb. 25 at Maestri Field. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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