Privateers Baseball Travels to Baton Rouge to Face No. 7 LSU

NEW ORLEANS AT LSU
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16 | 6:30 PM
ALEX BOX STADIUM | BATON ROUGE, LA

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The University of New Orleans baseball team (13-3, 2-1 Southland) faces another ranked opponent in mid-week action as they face off against the seventh-ranked LSU Tigers (12-3, 0-0 SEC) on Wednesday at Alex Box Stadium. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m.
 
The Privateers won their first conference weekend by picking off two of three games from Sam Houston State who was picked third in the league in preseason polls. UNO got a combined total of 24 innings from their starting pitchers and Shawn Semple and Jordan Priddle each pitched through eight frames in their respective starts.
 
"Our starting pitching is key for us because of the lack of depth in our bullpen so if they give us the opportunity to go deep into games, it helps us out in mid-week games as well," said Head Coach Blake Dean.   
 
UNO will take their act on the road after 14 home games in the first 16 contests. The Privateers acquired a 13-1 mark at Maestri Field at First NBC Ballpark in that span, which fueled the best start by this point from a Privateers squad since 1981.
 
"We proved we can play at home," said Dean. We understand our surroundings but you've got to do it on the road. Hopefully we can show what we're capable of, play good defense and try to take a couple of games on the road."
 
Bryan Warzek assumes another tough assignment as he will start for UNO. The true freshman will start his third consecutive game against a ranked opponent when he faces a Tigers lineup that is batting .312. Alden Cartwright will start for LSU, his second starting call of the season.
 
Dakota Dean collected nine RBIs last week in five games to assume the team lead in that category. Dean now has 16 runs driven in and is second on the team in hits and batting average. Also heading into Wednesday, Dean is carrying an eight-game hitting streak. Dean and Kyle Bracey are the only two Privateers who have reached in all 16 games.
 
LSU comes in ranked seventh according to the latest Baseball America poll. After losing the series opener against Ball State, the Tigers came back with 19 runs scored in two wins over the last two days to win the weekend. LSU has also played mostly home games with 13 of their first 15 games taking place at Alex Box Stadium. 
 
Jake Fraley leads the team in batting average, hitting at a .400 clip entering the week. Fraley also has 11 stolen bases to lead a Tigers squad that is second in the SEC in steals. LSU has won seven straight against the Privateers in the all-time series. The last UNO win was back in 2010.
 
ALUMNI TAILGATE: The University of New Orleans Department of Athletics, in conjunction with the Alumni Association, will hold a tailgate on Wednesday afternoon in Baton Rouge prior to the Privateers' baseball game at LSU. The white tent will be set up on Nicholson Drive (Louisiana Highway 30) across from Alex Box Stadium near Nicholson Drive Extension. The event will begin at 3:30 p.m. and will end shortly before first pitch. A large Privateers flag will be flying to help fans and alumni interested in attending locate the gathering. For additional information, please contact UNO Community Outreach and Business Development Coordinator Skip Miller at 404-822-6370.
 
Season tickets for the 2016 campaign are available for as low as $125 and single-game tickets start at $5. For additional information, contact the UNO Athletics Ticket Office at (504) 280-GAME (4263) or click HERE.
 
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