NEW ORLEANS - The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi baseball team won its fifth-consecutive game
after scoring two runs in the top of the ninth to defeat New Orleans, 3-1 at Maestri Field Friday night.
It was a pitching duel through and through as neither team was able to push a run across the plate until the sixth inning. Matt Danton improved to 3-5 on the season after going eight complete innings and striking out six batters. While on the mound the Conroe, Texas native induced 12 ground balls in the first six innings.
The Privateers (11-25, 2-14 SLC) had just three hits through four innings, all of which were singles grounded up the middle. It wasn't until the sixth until they were able to put a real offensive threat together. Two consecutive singles by New Orleans put a runner in scoring position for the first time in the game. With the bases loaded UNO's Hezekiah Randolph grounded to second where the Islanders looked to the double play but were only able to turn the out at second as the go-ahead run crossed the plate.
Sophomore second baseman Brett Burner led off the seventh inning with a liner out to left field that was just out of the reach of a diving Ryan Calloway to pick up his first triple of the year. Burner made his way home to tie the game after Lukas Hermanson lined a ball to the third baseman that ricocheted off his glove of Parker Jones into the outfield.
That would mark the end of the night for the Privateers' starting pitcher Alex Smith as Seth Laigast closed the door for the Islanders in the inning. The Islanders would attempt to score on a ball hit up the first base line, but a heads up play by UNO's Preston Marsh would catch Hermanson in a rundown eventually tagging out the catcher.
A&M-Corpus Christi (18-15, 8-8 SLC) opened the eighth with a leadoff walk by Kyle Danford, who then advanced to third off two-straight wild pitches. The Islanders missed a chance to go ahead in the game after UNO was able to retire the next three batters to strand Danford at third.
After coming in to pinch run in the seventh, Brandon Guilford opened the ninth inning with a walk and later advanced on a wild pitch. Jordan Lee then drove a ball deep to center field, good enough to allow Guilford to tag up and move to third. Casey Thomas walked to the plate and fell behind 0-2 in the count, but the Phoenix, Ariz. native put a ball in play up the middle to score the go-ahead run and pick up his second hit of the game.
Keller, Texas native Zacarias Hardy added an insurance run as he drilled a ball to left center field. The ball went just over the outstretched glove of Sam Carriere to score Thomas from second.
The Islanders had an opportunity in the top of the fourth to put a run on the board after a one-out double by Justin Perales and a walk by Brett Burner. The threat would end prematurely as Lukas Hermanson lined out to UNO third baseman Parker Jones who delivered a quick throw to second to double up Perales to end the frame.
Kevin Kelleher took the loss for the Privateers after allowing both ninth inning runs. Alex Smith went six and a third innings for the home team, allowing just one run and striking out four.
The team will look to return to the diamond Saturday at 1 p.m. for the second game of the series. Trevor Belicek will have the call for the Islanders as first pitch is slated for 1 p.m. weather permitting.
For updates throughout the season be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@IslandersBSB) and Facebook (Islanders Baseball). Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the Islanders Front Row App at GoIslanders.com/frontrow.
