UNO rallies from 6-0 deficit, advances to Southland Conference Championship

HAMMOND (WGNO) – The lowest-ranked team in the Southland Conference Tournament continued its Cinderella story in the final round of the Hammond bracket.

No. 8 UNO faced No. 4 Northwestern State for the second time this weekend. During their first matchup in the winner’s bracket on Saturday, the Privateers and Demons clashed in a defensive battle: UNO and NSU totaled five runs off nine hits; and New Orleans beat Northwestern 3-2.

The Saturday night rematch was the exact opposite.

Northwestern State pounced on UNO early. The Demons scored the first run of the game in the second, and after a five-spot in the next frame, the Privateers stared down a 6-0 deficit.

However, Bryce Calloway came through yet again. The senior hit a two-run homer to center field for UNO’s first scoring play of the night. New Orleans was still down four runs though, and NSU extended its lead back to six with two solo shots in the sixth inning.

The eighth frame was where the winds blew in the Privateers favor. Alexander Saunier hit a bases-loaded RBI single to shrink UNO’s deficit back down to five runs, and New Orleans made sure to take advantage of a bases-juiced opportunity.

Tristan Moore lined a hit down the first base line for a bases clearing double, and Bryan Loriga drove Moore home with a two-run blast to left field.

UNO tied the game with a six-run rally in the eighth inning.

Northwestern State retook the lead thanks to a Privateers’ balk. However, New Orleans scored four runs in the top of the ninth, and after allowing two runs, Calloway earned his third save of the weekend: striking out the Demons’ final batter for a 12-11 victory.

“I can’t even put into words how proud I am. The preparation we’ve put in. The time and the faith that we’ve put in as a team. Big Cat is a man of God, and we just believe that we can trust in him. That’s what we said when (Blake) Dean left,” Calloway said about first-year head coach Dax Norris.

“I thank God. It’s an honor to run this program and be a part of this team. I’m just enjoying the ride,” the Privateers skipper added.

UNO will travel to Houston and face HCU in the Southland Conference Tournament Championship series. The Privateers swept the Huskies during their regular season series, when Houston Christian was in a three-way tie for first place in the conference.

First pitch is set for Thursday, May 22nd at 6 p.m.

Click the video above for highlights from the game and to hear from Calloway and Norris.

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