UNO beats Northwestern State 3-2, advances to final round of Hammond bracket

HAMMOND (WGNO) – UNO entered Friday night’s matchup against Northwestern State with all the momentum. The eighth-seeded Privateers upset the Southland’s number one team, Southeastern, in the opening round.

New Orleans had an offensive explosion against SLU in a 10-6 victory, but the second round was a complete 180. The Privateers and Demons combined for nine hits and five runs, but UNO was on the right side of the defensive showdown.

The Privateers beat Northwestern 3-2.

“In years past, we’ve been very good offensively. We’re still good offensively, but now we can match up pitching-wise too. That’s probably been the biggest thing. We still got pitching, and defense and timely hitting. These guys have seen that we can win one-run games,” skipper Dax Norris said.

Senior Hayden O’Dell allowed two runs on three hits, but the southpaw recorded four strikeouts in 7.1 innings of work. Toney Sawyer stepped in relief effort to finish the eighth, and Bryce Calloway recorded his second-straight save of the weekend.

“Going into this game, I just did the best I could. I tried to get ahead, held my composure in the dugout and was just trying to save as many bullpen arms and arms that we have on our staff for tomorrow or however many games we have to play,” O’Dell said.

UNO advanced to the final round of the Hammond Bracket in the Southland Conference Tournament. The Privateers next game is Saturday at 6 p.m. New Orleans will face the winner between Southeastern and Northwestern State.

The Lions and Demons will play at 1 p.m.

UNO will have two chances to clinch the bracket, but if the Privateers lose game six, game seven of the bracket will be Sunday at 1 p.m.

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