The New Orleans Privateers tied the game in the ninth inning but lost to Illinois 4-3 on Apr. 11 after a walk-off single by J.R. Nelson at Illinois Field.
The matchup was closely contested, with the Privateers coming from behind late in the game. The outcome was decided when Michael Farina doubled with two outs, and Nelson followed by hitting a single down the left field line on a full count, securing victory for the Fighting Illini.
Earlier, Jayden Adcox drew a two-out walk and Miles Curley singled off the left field wall to put runners on first and third for New Orleans. Adrian Dominguez then delivered an infield single with two strikes that brought home Adcox to tie the score at three runs apiece. This marked the third time in six games that New Orleans played into extra innings after not having any such games during their first 31 contests of the season.
Dylan Biddick opened scoring for New Orleans with a solo home run off Illinois starter Mitch Dye, who then retired sixteen consecutive batters. Illinois took advantage of an error and missed double play opportunity to score twice and take a 2-1 lead before extending it further in the sixth inning. Owen Smith’s double helped cut into that lead as Kruise Newman laid down a sacrifice bunt ahead of an Adcox RBI groundout.
Reed Gannon earned his third win of this year by pitching one and one-third innings for Illinois. Farina scored three times while Mitch Groves collected two hits and drove in two runs for Illinois. Jack Garvey had his longest outing this season for New Orleans, pitching four innings with four strikeouts; Biddick contributed two hits and drew a walk as well.
The series will conclude Sunday morning at 11 o’clock.
