The Tulane Green Wave (23-14, 7-5 AAC) are stepping out of conference play as they host the University of New Orleans (UNO) Privateers (19-15) for the second game of the Pelican Cup on Tuesday, April 15, at 6:30 p.m. at Greer Field at Turchin Stadium.
Pitching Matchups
The Green Wave will utilize a bullpen day, with John-Paul Sauer making his second start of the season. Sauer (1-0) has posted a solid 16 strikeouts over 12.2 innings, allowing only two extra-base hits and holding opponents to a .275 batting average.
UNO will counter with left-handed pitcher Hayden O’Dell, who is making his sixth start of the season. O’Dell has pitched 14.2 innings, with 14 walks and nine strikeouts. This will be his second start against Tulane this season, having also started the matchup between the teams on March 25.
Scouting UNO
UNO comes into the game riding a four-game win streak, including a three-game sweep of UNC Asheville over the weekend, where the Privateers outscored their opponents 23-7. Bryce Calloway is leading UNO with a .415 batting average, 11 home runs, 45 RBIs, and a .746 slugging percentage. Calloway is ranked second in the Southland Conference for RBIs and third in home runs. In addition to his impressive bat, Calloway serves as the team’s closer, with eight saves in 11 appearances.
Bryce Loriga is another key contributor, hitting .369 with 14 doubles, five home runs, and 26 RBIs. As a team, UNO boasts a .312 batting average, ranking third in the Southland, and has hit 47 home runs — second in the conference. The pitching staff has been anchored by starter Grant Edwards, who has 64 strikeouts in 49 innings, and relief pitcher Swayer Toney, who has posted a 2.30 ERA in 15.2 innings.
UNO is under the leadership of head coach Dax Norris, who took over the program in December. Last season, the Privateers finished with a 31-26 record, including a 14-10 mark in Southland Conference play.
Pelican Cup History
The Pelican Cup rivalry was revived in 2018 and has become a regular feature of the Tulane-UNO baseball schedule. The Green Wave are the current holders of the Pelican Cup, having won it in 2024 with a 2-1 series victory. The Privateers have claimed the cup three times (2018, 2019, and 2023), while Tulane has secured it twice (2022 and 2024).
This matchup marks the 161st meeting between the two crosstown rivals. Tulane leads the all-time series 87-73, including a 2-1 series victory over UNO last season to claim the Pelican Cup. The Green Wave dropped a 7-6 decision to the Privateers earlier this season on March 25.
Against the Southland Conference
Tuesday’s game against UNO is part of Tulane’s ongoing series with Southland Conference opponents this season. The Green Wave have faced Southland teams in eight of their 10 non-conference games, compiling a 5-3 record so far. Tulane’s victories include wins over Southeastern Louisiana, Nicholls, and Northwestern State, while they’ve also suffered losses to Lamar and UNO.
Last Time Out
Tulane comes off a hard-fought 8-7 victory over UAB (19-17, 4-8 AAC) on Sunday, April 13, to complete the series sweep at home. Michael Lombardi earned the win after throwing three innings, allowing three runs with five strikeouts. Blaise Wilcenski, Julius Ejike-Charles, Jacob Moore, and Tayler Montiel all pitched in relief, with Montiel earning his first save of the season.
Offensively, Tanner Chun led the charge with three hits, including a home run, and three RBIs. Theo Bryant IV added a home run and three RBIs, while Matthias Haas extended his hitting streak to 11 games. The Green Wave have now won eight consecutive home weekend series dating back to the end of last season.
Up Next
After the Pelican Cup clash with UNO, Tulane will embark on a seven-game road trip, starting with a three-game series at UTSA (28-9, 10-2 AAC) beginning Thursday, April 17, at 6 p.m. in San Antonio. The series continues on Friday, April 18, at 6 p.m. and concludes Saturday, April 19, with a 1 p.m. matchup.
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