Southern Jaguars start with series against UNO

Southern University Head Baseball Coach Roger Cador

That loud, bold belly-laugh could’ve only come from one place. That wide, toothy grin could’ve only come from one face. Thursday afternoon at Lee-Hines Field, members of the Southern University baseball team took turns at the plate, pounding line drives and ground balls in final their batting practice before the season opener.

Suddenly, a sound came from one end of the third-base dugout — that loud, distinct laugh. It belonged, of course, to Roger Cador. From the look (and sound) of it, he was in his element. The winter weather had given way to a sunny, mild day, and another baseball season neared. What could be better?

“I was very concerned with the way things were going,” a smiling Cador said. “But the weather we have now — oh, it feels like spring. Life is good. It’s a beautiful day. ... Of course, when you get to be my age, everything is beautiful.”

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Privateers, Jaguars Open 2011 Baseball Season This Weekend

BATON ROUGE, La. - The University of New Orleans baseball program will open its 2011 campaign on Friday when it travels to face in-state rival Southern in the first game of a split three-game series at Lee Hines Field.

First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m. with the series moving to Maestri Field on Saturday for a 4 p.m. start before turning to Baton Rouge for the series finale at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

There will be no live audio or video over the weekend, with live stats and Twitter updates planned for Saturday's home contest.

UNO posted a 13-39 mark last year and will compete as an NCAA Division I Independent in 2011 as part of the school's intended reclassification to NCAA Division II competition.

The Privateer baseball program previously participated as an NCAA Division I Independent from 1980 through 1987 under coaches Ron Maestri and Tom Schwaner, qualifying for the NCAA tournament on six separate occasions during the eight-year span of time, including a 1984 College World Series appearance, the first by a Division I program in the state of Louisiana.

This year's squad under head coach Bruce Peddie will have a different task laid before them.

With just three scholarship players on the roster, the team will proceed to play a schedule full of Division I opponents and just 11 contests on the Lakefront.

Of the three weekend starters against Southern (25-22 in 2010), just Friday starter Cory Myers (0-2, 10.24 ERA in 2010) has pitched for the Privateers.

Saturday starter Zach Kelt and Sunday starter Robert Ormbsee are making their first appearance for UNO after transferring in from Hinds Community College and LSU-Alexandria, respectively.

Nolan Church is the top returning bat for the Privateers after leading the team with a .328 batting average last year. JUCO transfers Cameron Wheeless at third base and Andrew Garcia in the outfield could also factor in offensively for UNO.

SU has two former Privateer players on the roster in Clint Ourso and Roddarick Jones.

Ourso made 13 appearances as the third-string catcher for the Privateers last season, while Jones who is sitting out this season, was the regular left fielder for UNO in 2009 and 2010.

Jaguars' head coach Roger Cador will send RHP Daniel Garcia to the mound on Friday and LHP Jesse Holiday on Saturday with a starter. Garcia will be making his first appearance since posting a 4-1 record with a 3.08 ERA in 2009 with Holiday going 5-0 with a 4.17 ERA in 2010 with four starts amongst 13 appearances. A Sunday starter has not been named.

Following this weekend's series, UNO will face nationally-ranked LSU on Tuesday at Alex Box Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Courtesy: UNOPrivateers.com             Release: 02/17/2011