The University of New Orleans baseball team achieved its first conference win under head coach Andrew Gipson, defeating Stephen F. Austin 12-6 at Maestri Field on Sunday. The Privateers improved their season record to 5-7 and 1-2 in Southland Conference play.
Key moments included a three-run fifth inning, sparked when Dylan Biddick was hit by a pitch and Jayden Adcox singled. Adrian Dominguez followed with an RBI double, Karson Evans executed a sacrifice bunt to score Adcox, and a wild pitch allowed Dominguez to cross home plate.
Stephen F. Austin narrowed the gap in the seventh with Julian Swift’s two-run home run, bringing the score within one. However, New Orleans responded in the eighth inning by scoring six runs. Evan Rogers contributed a two-run double after Kruise Newman walked to load the bases. Rogers then scored on a fielder’s choice during Kareh Valentin’s at-bat, Evans came home on a wild pitch, and Carson Hepworth added an RBI sacrifice fly.
Stephen F. Austin took an early lead with four consecutive hits in the second inning. Juan Cantua doubled in Julian Swift and later scored on Cooper Schneider’s single for a 2-0 advantage.
New Orleans began its comeback in the third inning as Owen Smith delivered an RBI single following Hepworth’s single and stolen base. Adcox then drove in Smith to tie the game.
Tyler Velino (1-0) earned the win for New Orleans after pitching 1 1/3 innings with one earned run allowed. Gage Elliott (1-1) took the loss for Stephen F. Austin after surrendering two earned runs in his lone inning pitched. Luke Lycette secured his second save of the season by pitching three innings and striking out three batters.
Smith, Adcox, and Rogers each recorded three hits for New Orleans, while Rogers and Evans had two RBIs apiece. Nine different Privateers scored runs during the game, forcing Stephen F. Austin to use ten pitchers throughout.
Looking ahead, New Orleans will face Jackson State at Maestri Field on Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m., with coverage available on ESPN+.
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