Sam Houston State takes rubber game of series at UNO, 8-2

NEW ORLEANS – Cortlynn Ramirez struck out three in 3.0 innings of relief, and Brayden Morrow, Luther Woullard and Collin Morrill each went 2-for-4 in the University of New Orleans’ (13-10, 3-6 Southland) 8-2 setback to #RV Sam Houston State University (15-6, 7-2 Southland) Sunday afternoon at Maestri Field.

The preseason Southland Conference favorite Bearkats took two of three from the Privateers to improve to 7-2 in league play. Seth Ballew (1-1) went the distance, tossing 120 pitches in the complete game. The southpaw allowed nine hits but limited the damage, stranding eight UNO baserunners.

Christopher DeMayo worked out of a leadoff walk to get out of the opening frame.

Sam Houston State struck first in the second behind a two-out double down the right field line. The Bearkats tacked on another run, but Tresten Kennard gunned out David Davila for the final out of the top of the inning on a one-hop to Jorge Tejeda.

Gaige Howard led off the bottom of the second with a single, but Seth Ballew recovered from the leadoff single to preserve the 2-0 lead for SHSU.

DeMayo’s day was complete after two, but the left-hander was charged with the loss, falling to 0-3 on the year.

Small ball allowed the Bearkats to add two runs to extend their lead to 4-0.

A leadoff single by Morrill began the rally in the fifth off Ballew. After moving over on the sacrifice bunt, Morrill came around to score off Tejeda’s single up the middle. Morrow followed with a single to put the runners on first and second, but Ballew was able to escape the inning, inducing a 5-3 double play to end the fifth.

An inning later, UNO scored its second run on a fielder’s choice as Woullard beat the relay throw that would have ended the inning on a double play.

In the seventh, Sam Houston State advanced to scoring position on an infield single and throwing error and extended its lead back to three.

Ramirez struck out three in 3.0 innings of work, allowing an unearned run. Mathew Oset tossed a shutout ninth.

Sam Houston State took the series 2-1 with the 8-2 win over UNO.

NEXT UP
The Privateers host Southern University Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. on “Two for Tuesday” Night at Maestri Field.

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