New Orleans fills the tourney’s final space

Sports

Discussion

August 9, 2008

By CORY ISENBERG The Tribune-Democrat Sat Aug 09, 2008, 11:53 PM EDT

New Orleans secured its position in the 16-team AAABA field for this week’s 64th annual event on Saturday afternoon at Point Stadium.

The Louisiana squad pounded out 10 hits, including six for extra bases, in a 6 1/2-inning, 11-0 drubbing of Chicago Metro, a game shortened by the mercy rule. New Orleans won the best-of-3 regional 2-0.

“I’m very pleased,” New Orleans manager Brady Benoit said. “Obviously our hitters got a little more comfortable. We want to get our pitch earlier in the count. We got a lot better swings and a lot better at-bats and played solid defense. A good all-around performance.”

New Orleans got another strong pitching performance Saturday from right-hander Joseph Zimmerman just as it had on Friday night with Andrew Velez on the mound.

Zimmerman gave up just one hit in five innings of work with six strikeouts and a walk before giving way to reliever Brian Arceneaux in the sixth.

The New Orleans offense got off to another strong start as Cass Hargis led off with a triple to center field and came home on a sacrifice fly by Michael Liberto for a 1-0 NORD advantage.

In the third, New Orleans sent 10 to the plate, chasing Chicago starter Matt Moore.

Chris Wauguespack started the onslaught with a triple to right. Kyle Olasin’s bunt single down the third-base line scored Wauguespack.

Doubles by Hargis, Liberto and Laurent along with walks to Max Ledet and Jordan Poirrier, coupled with a Chicago error, scored five more New Orleans runs for a 6-0 advantage.

Another Chicago error, a hit batsman and a fielder’s choice scored two more runs to extend the New Orleans lead to 8-0 before the third inning ended.

“Putting it away early gets us more comfortable,” Benoit said. “A dangerous thing is when a team has its back against the wall the way Chicago did. We felt if we could come out and jump on top early, it would dampen their spirits and build ours. We certainly didn’t want to play a third game.”

New Orleans plated three more runs in the sixth, as Olasin led off with a walk by reliever Rick Foytik. Laurent’s single moved Olasin to second and Ledet cleared the bases with a towering shot over the left center field fence.

“It felt good when I hit the ball,” Ledet said. “It was a fast ball in. I knew it was gone pretty much as soon as I hit it.”

Hargis, Liberto and Laurent were all 2-for-3. Catcher Joe Carbone had Chicago’s lone hit.

“I thought we were in the mindset the night before, it was apparent that we just didn’t look ready to play on Friday and it carried over,” Chicago manager Andy Sherwood said. “They came out and started swinging. That’s what a good team does, they got on us early and put us away.”

New Orleans must now wait until Sunday night at the pairings banquet to find out its opponent and game site on Monday’s schedule while Chicago makes the long drive home.

“I just want to thank everybody; Johnstown put down a great regional to help us out,” Sherwood said. “It was a very class act. We wish we could have enjoyed a little more of the experience that we heard so much about.”

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Sports

Bedford goes to Class AA quarterfinals by thumping first-time participant Western Wayne
Bedford was making its fifth straight appearance in the PIAA Class AA Dual-Meet Championships on Thursday.

February 10, 2012 1 Photo
Steelers introduce Haley as offensive coordinator
Throughout the 16 minutes that followed him glowingly introducing former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley as his new offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood proudly in the corner of the second-floor media room at the team’s facility.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
College basketball in brief
A closer look at Thursday night's men's and women's college basketball games:

February 9, 2012
High School Basketball in Brief
A closer look at Thursday's boys and girls high school basketball games:

February 9, 2012
Steelers introduce Haley as offensive coordinator
Stressing his ties to the organization and his reverence for its tradition, Todd Haley was officially introduced today as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ new offensive coordinator.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Winter Classic matchup set: Red Wings and Maple Leafs to play at Big House
Next year’s Winter Classic could set an attendance record.

February 9, 2012
UVA murder case: Officer describes beaten, bruised lacrosse player
The first officer to arrive at the apartment of a slain University of Virginia lacrosse player says he thought he was responding to an alcohol overdose but quickly discovered the woman had been bruised and bloodied.

February 9, 2012
Cabrera-Bello shoots 63 in Dubai; McIlroy 3 back
Rafael Cabrera-Bello made nine birdies in his first 11 holes to finish at 9-under 63 today for a two-shot lead after the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

February 9, 2012
Ex-Steeler Holmes staying with Jets
A clause in receiver Santonio Holmes’ five-year, $45 million contract with the New York Jets, signed last offseason, kicked in Wednesday morning.

February 9, 2012
Penn State men absorb fifth straight loss
Penn State refused to be routed the first time No. 11 Michigan State had a chance to pull away for an easy victory.
The Nittany Lions, though, couldn’t stay consistent enough to keep their comeback hopes alive.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
More Sports Headlines

Now that the NFL season is officially over, what sporting events are you most looking forward to?

Sports

Search Results

Discussion

New Orleans fills the tourney’s final space

Now that the NFL season is officially over, what sporting events are you most looking forward to?

Contact Us