Frustration at UCA as Privateers Drop 2 of 3

Clarke had three homers in
the series, but UNO lost twice

After dropping a pair of midweek contests, the Privateers headed to Conway to take on a Central Arkansas team that entered the weekend 1-5 in conference play. Unfortunately for them, the Bears continued their frustration by snagging two out of three games, including a four-run ninth inning comeback on Friday and a mercy rule game on Sunday.

On Friday, New Orleans got a homer from Tristan Clarke as well as three hits and two doubles from Dakota Dean to build a 5-2 lead, only to surrender four runs in the bottom of the ninth in a 6-5 defeat.

On Saturday, Clarke homered twice more, and UNO got a workmanlike start from Bryan Warzek and a quality 3 1/3 relief innings from Reeves Martin in a comfortable 11-4 win.

On Sunday, the Privateers (14-11, 4-5), still searching for a Sunday starter, saw their pitching staff battered in a 10-0, mercy-rule-shortened loss.

New Orleans will continue its road trip on Wednesday at Southern Mississippi.

Privateers Drop Two Midweek Contests

New Orleans' struggle in midweek contests against teams not named LSU continued this week, as they dropped a Tuesday contest at Missouri State by a 7-2 score and a Wednesday game at Arkansas, 5-2.

The Privateers (13-9) remain in the region for a weekend Southland Conference series at Central Arkansas beginning on Friday.

Back on Track: UNO Sweeps Abilene

After a miserable opening Southland weekend, New Orleans (13-7, 3-3) bounced back by sweeping Abilene Christian at Maestri Field after besting LSU for a second time on Wednesday night.

On Friday, UNO's Shawn Semple recovered from a rough start to throw a solid outing, as his offense gave him the support for an 8-6 victory over Abilene Christian.

Veillon went 7-for-12 in the series

Orynn Veillon led a balanced offensive attack for New Orleans, going 2-for-3 with a double and two stolen bases.  Owen Magee and Jay Robinson also had two hits each, and also had 2 RBI each.  And after surrendering four runs in the second, Semple threw five more innings, all goose eggs, for a seven-inning, 10-strikeout performance.

On Saturday, UNO used another solid seven-inning pitching effort from Bryan Warzek on their way to a 12-6 victory over the Wildcats.  Veillon again was a factor, smashing three hits, including two doubles, with 2 RBI to lead the way. Jay Robinson also contributed three hits, and Dakota Dean had a single, a triple, and a walk.

On Sunday, New Orleans fell behind 7-0 early, and still trailing 8-3 heading to the bottom of the seventh, the Privateers posted a six-spot culminating in a game-tying bases-clearing double by Owen Magee, then a go-ahead sacrifice fly by Chase Crump to give UNO the eventual 9-8 winning margin.  After hurlers Riley Hodge and Rafael Martinez got touched up early, quality bullpen work by Connor Kaucic, Matt Gillis, and William Griffin enabled the comeback.

UNO Beats LSU in 15 Innings For Sweep

Magee's two hits drove in runs
in the 11th and 15th innings

In the UNO athletics community, it's been a week full of "first time since 1990-something" statements, and the baseball team was apparently feeling left out.

So, in a 15-inning marathon that included 14 1/3 innings of bullpen work, the Privateers (10-7) snapped a four-game losing streak by sweeping LSU for the first time since 1997, winning 7-4 in Baton Rouge.

After breaking through with a run in the 11th via an Owen Magee RBI double and having it answered by the Tigers in the bottom of the frame, the Privateers put up a three-spot in the 15th via a John Cable RBI groundout plus an error on the throw home, another Magee single, and a bases-loaded walk to finally finish LSU off.

After starting pitcher Christopher DeMayo surrendered a three-run bomb in the bottom of the first to Jake Slaughter and was lifted, UNO got 14 1/3 innings of one-run baseball from relievers Reeves Martin, Matthew Gillis, William Griffin, Jarred Taylor, Connor Kaucic, and John Michael Stevens, who finished the game with 3 2/3 innings of scoreless, walkless baseball.

The Privateers return home to Maestri Field hoping to recover from the opening weekend sweep at the hands of Southeastern Louisiana, hosting Abilene Christian for a three-game series.

Mount St. Mary's Eliminates UNO

It was an excellent basketball game to kick off the 2017 NCAA Tournament, but the result was disappointment for the New Orleans Privateers, who fell 67-66 to Mount St. Mary's.

The conventional wisdom was that UNO needed to control the glass and limit turnovers in order to gain a victory in its First Four game against the Mountaineers.  The Privateers won the boards 31-22, committed fewer turnovers, and had more steals than its Northeast Conference opponent, and yet a blistering 10-for-19 three-point shooting night from MSMU was just barely enough to sneak them past New Orleans.  Comparatively, UNO was 1-for-9 from beyond the arc.

Erik Thomas, the Southland Player of the Year, carried UNO through a rough first half, keeping them within striking distance by scoring 12 of their 29 points. However, he was scoreless in the second half, as Nate Frye kept New Orleans close down the stretch. He led the Privateers for the night with 18 points.

UNO concludes its memorable season with a 20-12 record, as Mount St. Mary's moves on to challenge defending national champion Villanova on Thursday night.

PI Podcast #26: NCAA Tournament Preview

In this edition of the Privateer Island podcast, we discuss everything lilacs, including growth tips and one incredibly hot take on pruning strategies.

No, just kidding, it's all about the Southland tournament and UNO winning it and the whole first-NCAA-berth-in-21-years thing, with a look at first round opponent Mount St. Mary's and the potential next matchup against (gulp) defending national champion Villanova and beyond.  We don't even mention lilacs once, actually.

To listen, go to our Podcast page or get the direct download here.

UNO vs. Mount St. Mary's

VS.

NCAA Tournament, Dayton, Ohio
Tuesday, March 14, 5:40 p.m. CST

Lions Sweep UNO on First Conference Weekend

On Friday night at Maestri Field, Southeastern Louisiana's Mac Sceroler shut down the Privateers (9-5, 0-1) over eight innings, striking out 11 in an 8-0 Lions victory.  New Orleans failed to score for the second consecutive game.

On Saturday in Hammond, Taylor Schwaner blasted two three-run homers to lead UNO to an 8-3... wait, to lead Southeastern to an 8-3 victory against UNO?  Taylor Schwaner.  Hm.

On Sunday, the Lions completed the sweep on Sunday with a 4-2 win back at Maestri Field.  The Privateer offense was again stifled, completing a week in which they scored just five runs on 21 hits in four games.

Privateers Win SLC Tourney, NCAA Bid

Christavious Gill was 1 year old when Tyrone Garris' teardrop fell at Barton Coliseum to send UNO to the 1996 NCAA Tournament.

After 21 years, six coaches, three NCAA divisions, and countless maliciously incompetent administrators that seemed intent on blocking their path, Gill assisted a second half resurgence that put the 2017 Privateers back in the dance for the first time since that amazing night in Little Rock.  New Orleans defeated Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in overtime, 68-65.

Down 32-23 with seconds left, Nate Frye raced upcourt and swished a three that beat the halftime buzzer for UNO's first trey of the night after a miserable shooting first half.  The Privateers continued to chip away in the second half, taking a 44-42 lead on a steal and layup by Gill.  The grind-it-out battle continued the rest of the night, with TAMU-CC's Cole Martinez missing a three that would have won the game near the buzzer of regulation.

Tevin Broyles, also a huge factor in that second half run, led UNO with 15 points.  Erik Thomas had 14, and Gill had 10, all after halftime.

UNO gets their NCAA Tournament assignment tomorrow afternoon.  A bid party will be held on campus at The Cove beginning at 4 p.m.

VIDEO OF THE END GAME/POSTGAME CELEBRATION:

NET CUTTING VIDEO:

One Win Away: UNO Wins Semifinal

Gill had three triples in
Friday night's semifinal

The Privateers (19-11) finally beat Sam Houston State, and it came at a great time: in the conference tournament in Katy, Texas.

The 75-63 victory sends New Orleans into the championship game of the tournament, which will determine the Southland's participant in the NCAA Tournament.  It will be played Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2.  Friday's victory was the first time UNO has beaten Sam Houston since it joined the conference in 2013.

Erik Thomas, the conference Player of the Year, struggled from the field, shooting 4-for-11, but also hit all 10 of his free throw attempts for an 18-point night.  Christavious Gill added 15, including three three-pointers.

New Orleans will meet Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in tomorrow's championship game. The Islanders defeated Stephen F. Austin 77-69 in the other semifinal matchup.

Braley Does Everything in USM's 6-0 Win

Southern Miss' Taylor Braley entered Wednesday night's start against New Orleans with a 7.50 ERA, but you could have fooled the Privateers.

Actually, he did fool the Privateers all night, striking out 11 and allowing just two hits over 7 1/3 innings of shutout baseball. In addition, he batted cleanup and smacked three hits, including a double, for 3 RBI.  In between innings, he probably sold nachos and eliminated the national debt or something.  It all came together for a 6-0 Golden Eagle victory.

For New Orleans, Hezekiah Randolph did walk, which means he's gotten on base in all 13 games this season. Christopher DeMayo, a freshman southpaw, put together a solid, workmanlike six-inning start, surrendering just two runs, but was outdueled by Braley.

UNO begins conference play on Friday night at Maestri Field, the start of a three-game split series against Southeastern Louisiana.  Saturday's game will be in Hammond, and the teams will return to New Orleans on Sunday for the finale.

PI Podcast #25: SLC Tournament Preview

The Privateer Island podcast returns with a Southland Conference basketball tournament preview.

UNO's special 2016-17 title run, the upcoming league tournament, and college basketball tournaments in general are discussed.  Near the end, the conversation touches on the early fortunes of the Privateer baseball team.

To listen, go to our Podcast page or get the direct download here.

Clarke Dominates Alcorn in 3-Game Sweep

Tristan Clarke dominated
the Braves over the weekend

Alcorn State has seen just about enough of UNO's Tristan Clarke.

The junior outfielder went 9-for-12 over the course of this weekend's three-game series at Maestri Field, including two homers as well as two doubles and a triple.  New Orleans got a host of other quality offensive performances, particularly in Friday's 10-0 win and Saturday's 14-0 triumph.

Martin's four innings of quality
relief helped UNO rally on Sunday

On Sunday, UNO finished a rally from 4-0 down when Sam Capielano poked a single to left past a drawn-in infield in the bottom of the ninth to give the Privateers a 7-6 win. It was Capielano's third hit on the day.

On the hill, Friday starter Bryan Warzek and Saturday starter Shawn Semple each pitched six shutout innings.  On Sunday, starter Rafael Martinez got roughed up, but a fine effort from the bullpen, including Reeves Martin's four scoreless innings to close it out, saved the day.

The Privateers (9-3) next host Southern Miss on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

UNO Snags Outright SLC Title

Stopher Gym has been a house of horrors for the New Orleans Privateers over the years, but needing one win for an outright regular season Southland Conference title, UNO gutted out a 74-64 win over Nicholls on Saturday afternoon.

Erik Thomas, as has been the case so often in this special season, led the way for the Privateers with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists. Fellow senior Christavious Gill added 14, and senior Tevin Broyles had 12.

New Orleans led 35-27 at the half and extended the lead to 13 early in the second half, but Nicholls fought back to cut the lead to 2. The Bucs extended the lead back to 10, then Nicholls cut it to 3.  Finally, they were able to clamp down late, hit some key free throws, and fight the Colonels off for good.

With the win, the Privateers (18-11, 13-5) secure the #1 seed in the Southland tournament next week in Katy. They secure the league's automatic NIT bid should they not win in Katy. It is the first outright league title for UNO since they went 18-0 in 1993, and it will be its first postseason appearance since 1997.

Discuss at the forum

SLU Shocks UNO

Junior Makur Puou

Trying to secure a double bye in the upcoming Southland Conference tournament, the Privateers (17-11, 12-5) surrendered three three-pointers in the last minute and a half, falling to Southeastern Louisiana, 63-58.

New Orleans, which struggled to handle the intense Lion press from the get-go, blew 47-36 and 58-52 second half leads because they were unable to stop turning the ball over in their own backcourt.  Marlain Veal engineered the comeback, leading the Lions with 23 points.

Makur Puou led the Bucs with 13 points.