UNO Takes Series From Troy, 12-3

Saturday, March 29

Troy, Ala.

6:00 PM

Troy University

New Orleans

3/29/2008 5:00:00 AM | Baseball

TROY, Ala.- New Orleans took the series from Troy with a 12-3 victory Saturday night at Riddle-Pace Field.

“Sometimes you just have to tip you cap to a good team,” coach Bobby Pierce said. “We are getting outplayed in every facet right now. We have to come back tomorrow and try to salvage a win.”

New Orleans (16-8, 5-5) sprinted out of the gate with four runs in the first inning. Ryan Eden singled to lead off the game and advanced to second on a single from T.J. Baxter and scored on a RBI single by Johnny Giavotella. Josh Vander Hey singled and Jeff Lanning followed that with a double to right center with both hits plating a run. Nick Schwarner singled knocking in the fourth run in the inning and giving the Privateers the 4-0 lead.

UNO added four more run in the third inning on a home run from Baxter. Giavotella reached on a walk with Vander Hey and Schwarner following with RBI doubles. Jim McGonigle flied out to right field plating the final run of the inning as New Orleans raced out an 8-0 lead.

Sophomore Steven Felix led off the bottom of the third with his first career triple as he ripped a ball to the corner in right field. He scored on a double-play groundout by Bart Pettus closing the UNO lead to 8-1.

The Privateers' Vander Hey hit a grand slam in the top of the sixth inning to push UNO ahead of Troy, 12-1

Troy (16-10, 5-3) added two more run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Josh Blackwell led off with a double off the wall in right center. Michael Precise followed that with a walk. Brett Henry was called on to pinch hit and lined out to left field scoring Blackwell from third. Daryl Otwell doubled to left field scoring Precise pulling the Trojans closer at 12-3.

Bryan Cryer (5-1) tossed another gem for the Privateers Saturday as he went seven innings and allowed three runs on five hits while walking one and striking out seven.

Travis Burge (4-2) had a rough outing as he lasted only three innings. He gave up eight runs on nine hits while walking two and striking out two.

Senior J.J. Whetsel followed Burge and lasted two and two thirds innings. He gave up four runs on the grand slam. He walked three and struck out four.

Senior Rob Brown tossed the next two innings and struck out three batters. Neal Jordan closed out the game for the Trojans in the ninth.

The Trojans will look to avoid getting swept at home for the first time since 2004 (against FAU) when they face UNO in the third game of the series Sunday afternoon at 1 pm.