Warzek, Martin strike out 12 in 2-0 win for UNO over Nicholls

NEW ORLEANS – Scoreless through 7.5 frames but Beau Bratton’s double into the right-center field gap combined with the Privateer pitching clinched the series victory for the University of New Orleans (23-28, 12-14 Southland) Saturday evening at Maestri Field as UNO blanked Nicholls State University (23-29, 11-15 Southland) 2-0. Bryan Warzek struck out seven in 6.2 innings but received a no-decision and Reeves Martin punched out five in 2.1 shutout for the win.

Martin entered the game with two outs in the seventh and needed just three pitches to strand the bases juiced to remain scoreless at Maestri Field.

In the eighth, a sacrifice put runners in scoring position for Nicholls but Martin dialed it up and punched out Xane Washington and Dillon Belle to strand two.

The Privateers were patient at the plate, drawing four walks and two hit by pitches (Scott Crabtree) but Alex Ernestine did not allow a hit until the fifth inning when Darren Willis went up the middle.

The Privateers took a 2-0 lead with one swing after Beau Bratton, who earlier in the game extended his reached base safely streak to 22 games, doubles to right center field to plate two (Pearce Howard reached on fielder’s choice and Orynn Veillon doubled).

Martin improved to 2-4 on the year with the win while Ernestine (4-5) was charged with the loss in the complete game, allowing four hits and two runs in 8.0 innings.

Bratton was 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBI, Veillon added a double and Willis reached base safely twice.

ON THE BACKEND OF THE BULLPEN

“John (Barr) was phenomenal last night and set the tone,” said Martin. “Bryan did his thing and I was able to continue where he left off.”

ON TWO-RUN EIGHTH (OWEN’S SINGLE, ORYNN’S and BRATTON’S DOUBLE)

“Owen Magee has been seeing the ball well and Orynn is always capable of driving the ball into the gaps,” said head coach Blake Dean. “Beau came up with a big hit against a pitcher that settled in after early walks.”

NEXT UP

The series concludes tomorrow at 1 p.m. in Thibodaux. John Michael Stephens gets the start for the Privateers as they look for the series sweep.

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