Official Box Score
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- South Alabama jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after the top of the first, but New Orleans exploded for 17 runs over the next four innings to take game two of their weekend Sun Belt Conference series, 18-9 Saturday afternoon at Maestri Field. The Jaguars did pound out a season-high 16 hits against Privateer pitching.
The Jags (11-10, 1-4 SBC) gained its early lead after the first two batters registered hits. Ray Kruml led off the game with a single to right center and went to third when Clint Toomey singled through the right side. David Doss plated Kruml with a sacrifice fly to left.
But after that, it was all Privateers. They hit five home runs in the contest, including three-run home runs by Johnny Giavatello in the first inning and by Michael Knipper in the second to make the score 6-1. UNO finished the frame with four more runs, posting a seven-spot on six hits to lead 10-1, then added six runs in the third for a 16-1 advantage. The big blast that frame was a grand slam by Friday night's hero, Mark McGonigle.
After a solo home run in the fourth to make the score 17-1, South Alabama tried to rally, scoring six runs in the seventh and two in the ninth. First, Russell Harben and Colby Cleckler had back-to-back doubles to score a pair of runs, before Sean Laird launched a three-run homer to left field. Laird homered again in the ninth inning, driving in Chris Davis, who had singled.
Laird finished the contest with two hits and five RBIs, while Davis, Jake Overstreet and Derek O'Reilly also recorded two hits. In total, 12 Jaguars recorded at least one hit.
Lance Baxter (1-4) faced just 10 batters, giving up five hits and walking two. He allowed seven runs before giving way to Miles Ethridge, who allowed all four batters he faced to hit safely and later score. Michael Logan was the most effective of four pitchers, allowing only a single run in 4.1 innings.
Bryan Cryer (4-1) scattered six hits and allowed only one run in five innings to get the win for UNO.
The Privateers' 18 runs and 22 hits were both season highs against the Jaguars. The series concludes Sunday afternoon with a 1 p.m. first pitch.
