HOUSTON, Texas – The Huskies captured the series, 2-1, against New Orleans after an assertive offensive performance in game three with an 11-4 victory over the Privateers. HCU's offense tallied 11 runs on 11 hits including three home runs.
The Huskies struck first in the series finale starting in the bottom of the first inning. After
Trevor Roper hit a lead-off single up the middle before
Dylan LaRue was hit-by-pitch, Roper advanced to third on a fielder's choice by
Samuel Benjamin. Roper and Benjamin scored on a double to center field off the bat of
Tyler LaRue to take a 2-0 lead. The Huskies capped off the first innings when
Tyler LaRue scored on a throwing error by UNO's shortstop to grab a three-run lead. After a pair of shutout innings by both teams, HCU increased their lead to six runs when
Josh Prinner hit a three-run home run down the left field line scoring
Ty Hodge and
William Jewell to give the Huskies a, 6-0, advantage in the bottom of the fourth inning. A solo-shot off the bat of
Tyler LaRue in the bottom of the fifth inning improved HCU's lead to seven runs. After pitching five shutout innings,
Rye Gunter got in an early jam loading the bases with no outs in the top of the sixth inning before
Christian Diaz came in to replace Gunter. A sacrifice fly followed by an RBI single narrowed the Husky lead to five runs at 7-2. In the bottom of the frame, the Huskies loaded the bases for Benjamin to hit a grand slam down the right field line and improve the Husky lead to nine runs at 11-2. The Privateers hit a home run in the top of the seventh inning and scored their final run of the game in the top of the ninth inning but couldn't outpace the Huskies claiming the series finale 11-4.
The Huskies (11-20, 4-5 SLC) were led by
Tyler LaRue going 3-for-5 with a home run, four RBIs and two runs.
William Jewell went 2-for-4 with a double and a run while
Lane Sparks went 2-for-3 also with a double and a run.
Samuel Benjamin went 1-for-5 with a grand slam and two runs and
Josh Prinner went 1-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs.
Rye Gunter (2-0) earned the win pitching five scoreless innings to start the game giving up two earned runs on three hits with four walks and three strikeouts.
Christian Diaz and
Zach Ryan each pitched two innings of relief allowing one earned run and combined for six strikeouts.
New Orleans (18-13, 6-3 SLC) was led by Diego Villescas going 2-for-3 with a home run and a double while Mitchell Sanford went 2-for-4 with a run. Cortez Dennis (2-3) was tagged with the loss pitching 3.1 innings to start the game allowing six runs, five earned runs, on five hits with a walk and a strikeout. Five Privateer pitchers were used in the game three loss.
The Huskies will return to action traveling to Corpus Christi to take on TAMUCC in a three-game conference series on Friday-Sunday at Chapman Field.
