Tulane University’s baseball team lost to the University of New Orleans (UNO) with a score of 11-3 on Tuesday at Maestri Field. This game marked the first matchup in this year’s Pelican Cup.
Jude Abbadessa started for Tulane but allowed six runs in less than an inning. Caden Tarango followed from the bullpen and gave up two more runs over two innings. Jake Toporek pitched 3.1 innings, allowing three hits and striking out five batters. LuisPablo Navarro also made his debut, pitching 1.1 innings with two strikeouts but surrendering two runs on one hit. Will Clements finished the game, giving up one run while recording the final outs in the eighth inning.
On offense, Jason Wachs led Tulane with three hits, including two doubles. Kaikea Harrison, Wachs, and Johnny Elliott each drove in a run for the Green Wave, while Tye Wood, Matthias Haas, and Trent Liolios scored runs.
UNO pitcher Bryson Goff earned his first win of the season by allowing three runs over 5.1 innings and striking out four batters.
Tulane took an early lead when Wachs doubled to drive in Wood in the opening inning. UNO responded with six runs in their half of the first inning—highlighted by a two-run home run from Owen Smith and a grand slam by Jake D’Altrui.
The Green Wave narrowed the gap to 6-3 in the second inning after an RBI double from Elliott and a sacrifice fly by Harrison. However, UNO added two more runs in the third on a wild pitch and an RBI double from Eli Tidwell.
In the eighth inning, UNO extended its lead to 11-3 following singles from Smith and a bloop double by Dylan Biddick that drove in two additional runs.
With this result, Tulane has now lost its last four games against UNO.
Jason Wachs increased his on-base streak to 34 games dating back to last season—a personal best—and both LuisPablo Navarro and Caden Tarango made their collegiate debuts during this contest.
Tulane will continue its road trip against South Alabama on February 25 before hosting Eastern Kentucky for a three-game series starting February 27.
