Three-run seventh inning rallies UNO to 4-1 SLC-opening win over Nicholls

The start of conference play seemed as good a time as any to end a four-game losing streak.

With starter Jacob Mayers tossing a shutout with 11 strikeouts through six innings and Edgar Alvarez providing the game’s only run with a solo home run to right field in the bottom of the sixth, Nicholls appeared on its way to doing so against the University of New Orleans on Friday night on Ben Meyer Diamond at Ray Didier Field – until the seventh inning.

After Mayers struck out the leadoff hitter for his 12th strikeout, he gave up a single by Diego Villescas. Nico Saltaformaggio entered the game in relief of Mayers and gave up a base hit to Issac Williams.

A groundout by Victor Castillo advanced both runners with two outs. A wild pitch by Saltaformaggio allowed Villescas to score from third base to tie the game.

Mitchell Sanford walked and then stole second before a double to right by Miguel Useche drove in two more runs to give the Privateers a 3-1 lead.

UNO (11-10) added a run in the eighth inning on a run-scoring single by Villescas.

Privateers starter Colton Mercer engaged in a pitchers’ duel with Mayers throughout the game. After UNO gave him a 4-1 lead, he was replaced to open the bottom of the eighth inning by Nathan Blasick.

With one out, Blasick hit Narvin Booker with a pitch. Parker Coddou followed with a single up the middle to put runners on the corners. Coddou broke from first base and was in a rundown. Booker ventured off third base during the rundown and ended up being picked off of third base. Blasick then got Alvarez to ground out to end the inning.

“It was a bonehead play by Coddou and a worse play by Booker at third base. Parker does it all the time. He’s not a very mature player. He’s extremely talented, probably our most talented player, but he doesn’t take any responsibility mentally and he continues to run us out of innings. He has for three years. He’s got to get better,” Nicholls coach Mike Silva said.

Blasick retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth with the 4-1 Southland Conference-opening loss stretching the Colonels’ losing streak to five games.

“I thought outside of Alvarez, our bats for the most part were terrible all night,” said Silva. “I thought Saltaformaggio came out of the bullpen and did not throw the ball very well. Then they found some holes against (Gavin) Galy. I thought Haden Luke threw the ball really well, which was encouraging to see.

“I think we were very competitive, to be honest, in the box. I think (Murcer) did a really good job and hats off to him, but we’ve got to be better than that. We’re tiptoeing around the moment and we’re running from it, that’s just the truth. We have to do better.”

With both starting pitchers scattering a few hits and walks, neither faced serious trouble into the sixth inning.

In the top of the sixth, Mayers gave up a leadoff double off the center field wall to Useche. In an attempt to chase down by fly ball, Nicholls right fielder Basil Williams crashed into the ball. He was injured on the play and had to be attended to. It took several minutes to evaluate Williams before he was forced to leave the game.

Despite the break in action, Mayers came back and struck out the next three batters to avoid any damage.

“We need our ace to go out and do what he did tonight, and his teammates just didn’t pick him up. That’s the reality of it,” Silva said.

Alvarez put Nicholls (17-8) on top with his home run in the bottom of the sixth before UNO countered with its three-run seventh inning.

Saltaformaggio, the second of four Nicholls pitchers, took the loss. He allowed three runs on three hits and one walk, while striking out one.

Mercer (2-3) picked up the win. He allowed one run on four hits, with seven strikeouts.

Blasick gave up one hit with one strikeout in two innings to pick up his first save of the year.

The three-game series continues at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, with the finale slated for 1 p.m. Sunday.