UNO wins opener at Kennesaw State, 9-6

KENNESAW, Ga. – The New Orleans Privateers got out to a lightning fast start and made it hold up over nine innings as they scored a 9-6 win over the Kennesaw State Owls on Opening Night of the 2023 season at Stillwell Stadium.

With the win, Blake Dean is now 6-2 in season openers.

DECISIONS
Colton Mercer (1-0) picked up the win after pitching three innings with one earned run (two total) allowed. Nick Zegna (0-1) only lasted an inning in the loss. Beau Blanchard grabbed his first collegiate save.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Facing a five-run deficit, the Owls clawed their way back in it. A double and two walks loaded the bases in the eighth and the Owls scored a run on a Nick Hassan fielder’s choice.

In the ninth, Kennesaw State scored a run on an RBI single by pinch hitter, Wade Richardson. The tying run came to the plate first in the form of Zac Corbin.

That’s when Blanchard was summoned out of the pen. After getting ahead 1-2 in the count, Blanchard got a foul tip strikeout that was held onto by Jorge Tejeda behind the plate. Blanchard sealed the deal after inducing a fly out off the bat of Nick Colina.

The Privateers scored five runs before fans could fully settle into their seats. Kasten Furr was hit by a pitch to start the game. After a single and a walk the table was set for the Privateers to feast on free passes.

Mitchell Sanford drew the first of two bases loaded walks on the night to plate the first run. An Issac Williams RBI fielder’s choice brought in the second. Then, Tyler Bischke, who had the big night at the plate, delivered a two-run single. An ensuing error plated a third.

Two innings later, Bischke came up and drilled a ball to deep right for a two-run blast. That put the Privateers ahead 7-0.

Kennesaw State spent the rest of the game trying to chip away. The Owls first got on the board in the home half of the third when Donovan Cash delivered a two-run homer. A run in the fifth and another in the sixth trimmed the New Orleans lead to 7-4.

The Privateers got some breathing room back in the seventh. After a single, a walk and a wild pitch, Sanford drew another bases loaded walk for his second RBI of the game. Then, Anthony Herron Jr. was hit by a pitch that brought in another run to make it 9-4.

INSIDE THE BOX
Bischke went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI. Furr scored two runs with a hit and a walk. Myles Austin made his Privateer debut and went 3-for-5 with a run. Tyler LeBlanc started and struck out four while allowing two runs in four innings.

For the Owls, Corbin was 2-for-4 with three runs scored. Cash and Hassan each drove in a pair. Brayden Eidson threw five innings in relief and struck out four while allowing two runs on three hits.

NEXT UP
The series continues with a 1 p.m. first pitch.

SOCIAL MEDIA
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