Texas Southern Tigers Split with New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS  --  A two-day series switched to a double header when Texas Southern traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana to face the University of New Orleans.

The threat of bad weather led the teams to play two late games rather than chance a rainout.

In game 1, New Orleans scored in the bottom of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead.  Texas Southern came back and scored three runs in the third inning to go up 3-0.  TSU's first run crossed the plate when Chris DeLeon got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.  An error by the first baseman allowed the Tigers to score again and Luis Armas' single to third base gave TSU their third run of the inning.

"You can see the improvement as we get some of our key guys healthy," said head coach Michael Robertson.  "We just got Luis [Armas] back and he had a great game against UNO."

UNO scored two runs in the 4^th inning to tie the game 3-3.  TSU lost the game on a homerun at the top of the 5^th inning for a final score of 4-3.

Texas Southern had 7 hits with 7 men left on base.  Marquis Webb led the Tigers with 2 hits. Zach Howell, DeLeon and Armas each had 1 RBI.  Larry Romero pitched 3.1 innings with 3 strikeouts, 8 hits and 3 earned runs for the loss.  Darius McClelland pitched 4.2 innings with 3 strikeouts, 3 hits and 1 earned run.

The Tigers evened the score with a win in game 2.  The game was scoreless until the 5^th inning. Sayvon O'Neal gave Texas Southern their first run when he scored on an error by the second baseman.  Armas then got his second RBI of the series with a single to left field.  TSU held a 2-0 advantage in the 5^th inning.

Samuel Terry added to the Tigers' lead with a solo homerun to left field.  It was Terry's and the teams' first homer of the season.

UNO scored one run in the bottom of the 6^th inning but TSU took the 3-1 win.

The Tigers had 9 hits in game 2 with 8 men left on base.  Rios Ryan pitched 6 innings with 3 strikeouts, 4 hits and 1 earned run for the win.

Felix Gomez got the save after closing out with 1 strikeout. Jakari Bass and Jamell Blue each pitched an inning in relief.  Bass had 1 strikeout and 1 hit while Blue had 2 strikeouts and 2 hits.

"Our pitching is ahead of our defense and hitting. That's the way we want it because the defense and hitting will come as the season progresses. We are moving in the right direction" said Robertson.

Texas Southern begins conference play this weekend when they travel to Grambling for a three game series.  The first game is Saturday, March 1^st at 1:00pm.

"This past week has given us momentum going into conference this weekend against Grambling.  I feel real good about us.," Robertson said.    
Box Score 1 | Box Score 2    
By Rodney Bush TSU Sports Information Director
COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION