Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Meeting for the first time in program history, the University of Alabama in Huntsville baseball team split a doubleheader with New Orleans on Saturday as the Chargers earned a 5-4 extra-inning walk-off victory over the Privateers in game one of a three-game series at Charger Park. UNO evened the series in the second game with a 3-2 decision over UAH.
After the day, UAH moves to 15-13 overall and 5-3 in the conference while UNO moves to 9-8 on the season and 3-4 in league play.
The Chargers and Privateers return to the diamond Sunday for game three of the series. First pitch at Charger Park is slated for 1 p.m. CST.
GAME ONE
The Chargers claimed their seventh straight victory in extra innings in walk-off fashion, defeating UNO by a score of 5-4. Justin Pearson connected on the game-winner, scoring Chandler Brock from second base on his single down the right field line.
Pearson finished the game hitting 3-for-4 with three RBI. Also key to the victory, Ty Chancelor batted 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, including a two-run home run to tie the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the fifth inning.
After back-to-back singles by Brock and Jon McKinney and just one out in the bottom of the 10th inning, Pearson hit the walk-off single over the first baseman's head down the right field line. Brock came around to score standing up and give UAH the victory.
Earlier in the game, the Privateers grabbed an early 2-0 lead after plating a run in the first after Blake LeBlanc's leadoff triple and a run in the second on a Brandon Simon solo home run.
The lead didn't last, however, as UAH knotted the score by crossing two runs in the bottom of the second. Chancelor doubled to lead off and was followed by two fly outs before Brock singled and stole second to put runners on second and third. Pearson then singled up the middle which brought across the tying runs.
In the fifth inning, LeBlanc hit a two-run homer over the left field wall to regain the lead for UNO. Again, the Chargers answered in the bottom of the frame when Chancelor hammered his fourth deep ball of the season – also scoring two runs and tying the game at 4-4.
Cody Barrett (4-2) picked up the victory for the Chargers after working the 10th frame in relief of starter Drew Eiland who stayed on the hill a career-high 9.0 innings. Eiland allowed four runs on eight hits while registering no walks and struck out eight. Barrett allowed one hit and fanned one batter in the victory.
One of UNO's three relief pitchers, Brandon Hardin (0-2), was tagged with the loss after working the final inning and allowing the one-out walk-off run. Christian Cale got the start on the mound and lasted 5.0 innings before getting pulled, allowing four runs on eight hits, two walks and two hit batters while striking out four.
GAME TWO
The Chargers season-long seven-game winning streak was snapped in game two, 3-2, after UNO posted three runs in the first inning. UAH outhit the Privateers in the game and cut the deficit to just one run, but the squad could never fully take control of the contest.
UNO again got the scoring started in game two, plating three runs in the first inning to take an early 3-0. With one out and runners on second and third, the Privateers were able to cross their first two runs off back-to-back singles.
The Chargers answered in the bottom of the third inning with two runs to cut the deficit to just one run. With runners on first and second, Chandler Brock hit a single into right field which scored Jon McKinney from second and moved Justin Pearson to third from first base. Grant DeBruin followed with a RBI single to right field, scoring UAH's second run of the inning.
UAH had a runner on third with just one out in the bottom of the seventh but the Chargers couldn't get the run across as the next two batters both flew out to end the game.
The Chargers' starting pitcher Dana Wright (2-2) was tagged with the loss after working the complete 7.0 inning game, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out seven and registering no walks.
Cory Myers posted 5.0 innings as the starter for UNO, allowing two runs on five hits, three walks and two strikeouts. Alex Smith earned his first save of the season after pitching the final 2.0 shutout innings.
