The New Orleans Privateers lost to the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils 9-7 on March 11 after giving up a decisive eighth inning home run at Maestri Field.
The game marked the first time in program history that the Delta Devils defeated the Privateers in baseball. Jaxon Haynes was key for Mississippi Valley State, hitting a solo home run in the seventh inning and then delivering a three-run homer to left field in the eighth, putting his team ahead for good.
New Orleans had rallied from an early five-run deficit, taking their first lead of the contest in the fourth inning when Owen Smith hit a three-run homer. The Privateers loaded the bases with one out after falling behind again, but Camden Farmer came in as relief for Mississippi Valley State and recorded two crucial outs to end the threat. Farmer also secured the save by allowing just one single in the ninth inning.
The Delta Devils started strong with five hits and five runs in the first inning, including RBI singles from Eric Williams and Gabriel Huelsing. The Privateers responded with doubles from Dathan Cummings, Smith, and Kruise Newman to close the gap before Smith’s home run gave them a temporary lead.
Delta Devils pitchers limited New Orleans to only two hits over the final five innings. Daniel Scott earned the win as Mississippi Valley State collected 12 hits overall. For New Orleans, Tyler Velino pitched 3.2 scoreless innings with three strikeouts while Logan Waldschmidt added two more shutout frames. Smith drove in five of his team’s seven runs; Eddie Castillo scored twice and Cummings went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Looking ahead, New Orleans will begin a three-game series against UIW on Friday at 6:30 p.m.
