The Tulane baseball team secured a 5-2 win over the University of New Orleans on March 17 at Greer Field at Turchin Stadium, taking back the Pelican Cup.
The annual Pelican Cup is awarded to the winner of each matchup between Tulane and UNO. This victory ended both a five-game losing streak for Tulane and a four-game losing streak against UNO.
Jack Brafa earned the win for Tulane after pitching three innings with one hit allowed and four strikeouts. Relievers Blaise Wilcenski, Jake Toporek, Sam Larson, and Beau Sampson combined to limit UNO’s offense, with Larson striking out five batters in just over two innings. Kaikea Harrison led Tulane offensively with two hits and two runs scored. Nate Johnson contributed two runs batted in, while Brett Rowell recorded his first career hit and RBI for Tulane.
Tulane managed only four hits but drew eight walks and was hit by pitches twice, striking out just twice during the game. UNO’s Reid Leonard took the loss after allowing four runs without recording an out in the opening inning. The Green Wave scored all four of their first-inning runs through bases-loaded walks and an RBI groundout by Rowell.
Jason Wachs extended his on-base streak to 47 games with three walks against UNO, marking a career high. The pitching staff reached double-digit strikeouts for the tenth time this season. Over their last four games, Tulane relievers have thrown more than 29 innings while allowing only six runs.
Tulane will continue its homestand against Northwestern State on March 18 at Greer Field at Turchin Stadium.
