The New Orleans Privateers lost to the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) Cardinals 9-6 on March 13 in the opening game of their baseball series at Maestri Field.
The game saw UIW take an early lead, sending all nine batters to the plate in the first inning and scoring four runs. Tony DeJesus started the scoring with an RBI single, followed by Colin Cymbalista being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Thomas Lyssy added a single to help build a 4-0 advantage for UIW.
New Orleans responded over the next four innings, scoring in each frame and tying the game in the third inning when Evan Rogers executed a squeeze bunt that brought Owen Smith home. In the fourth inning, Miles Curley drove in Kareh Valentin with a single through the right side, giving New Orleans its first lead at 5-4 after four innings.
However, UIW quickly regained control in the fifth inning, scoring four runs—all with two outs. Cymbalista scored on a wild pitch to tie it up before Trent Rucker’s RBI double put UIW back ahead. The Cardinals collected four of their five hits that inning with two outs.
Fawster Voytko and Landon Fuller closed out the game for UIW on the mound, combining for 4.1 hitless innings and seven strikeouts. Fuller earned his first save of the season. Preston Newberry led UIW offensively by going 4-for-5 with a double, two RBIs, and two runs scored. DeJesus and Cole Tabor combined for five hits.
For New Orleans, Lane Alack pitched 4.1 innings in relief with four strikeouts and allowed two runs (one earned). Dylan Biddick went 3-for-5 with an RBI and run scored while Curley and Kruise Newman each had two hits. Privateer pitchers recorded 11 strikeouts, matching their season high.
The series continues Saturday at Maestri Field.
