Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) played an HBCUAC Conference doubleheader against Dillard University, winning both games of the scheduled three-game series by scores of 10-5 and 9-7 on Saturday.
Game One
In game one, Dillard scored first in the second inning when Renard Smith reached base and Kwality Williams singled, bringing Smith home for a 1-0 lead.
SUNO took the lead in the bottom of the second inning when Kyler Shepherd walked and stole two bases, Damian Lantigua also walked and stole a base. Brandon Watson’s single scored both runs, giving SUNO a 2-1 edge.
Dillard tied the game at 2-2 in the third inning with Braylon Guerin singling and later scoring on a sacrifice fly by Jalen Ayers.
The Knights increased their lead to 6-2 in the bottom of the third inning with four runs on five hits, including a double and single by Mikel Black and Damian Lantigua, respectively.
In the fourth inning, SUNO scored four unearned runs on Dillard fielding errors, leading 10-2. Dillard attempted a comeback, scoring a run in the fifth and two additional runs in the seventh inning, but it was not enough, and SUNO secured the win.
Lantigua led SUNO with four RBIs, going 2-for-2, and Kyler Shepherd stole two bases.
Enrique Herazo pitched seven innings, allowing seven hits and five runs (three earned), striking out four and walking one.
Game Two
In Game two, SUNO won 9-7, extending Dillard’s losing streak to three games. Dillard initially led 4-0 in the top of the first inning on Braylon Guerin’s solo home run and runs scored from walks and a triple by Angel Polanco.
SUNO tied the game in the bottom of the first on Kerrigan Edmondson’s three-run home run and an additional run on four consecutive walks.
The teams exchanged leads, with Dillard taking a 5-4 lead in the third inning and SUNO tying it at 5-5 in the same inning.
Dillard regained a 6-5 lead in the fifth inning, but SUNO responded by scoring four runs in the bottom of the fifth, seizing a 9-6 advantage. Dillard added another run in the sixth inning, concluding the game with SUNO winning 9-7.
Kerrigan Edmondson led SUNO with four RBIs. Bryce Garrett and Damian Lantigua each had two hits.
Joey Olveda started as the pitcher, giving up four hits and five runs (three earned) over three innings. Cade Menina (1-0) earned the win in relief, pitching four innings, allowing four hits, two runs (both earned), and striking out five. Southern University at New Orleans aims for the series finale sweep on Sunday.