INSTANT CLASSIC: UNO Beats Tulane in Dramatic Fashion

In the opening game of the season series between the UNO Privateers and their cross-town rival Tulane Green Wave last night, local NOLA area college baseball fans were treated to the proverbial “instant classic”.

Having mostly covered pro football and the Saints previously for Who Dat Dish, this was actually my first collegiate baseball game that I ever attended, and it did not disappoint. While I admit that baseball is not one of my favorite sports, I may have discovered a new love.

Quite honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect going to my first game as an alumni from UNO down by the New Orleans lakefront. As it was, the stage was already set for something bizarre, as winds approximately 15-30 mph were blowing in all night.

While the fans were few that were in attendance for this instant classic, there was a feeling that this year something special was happening.

UNO baseball came in at (10-2), with loses only to Louisiana Lafayette and Southern Miss.

Photo courtesy of sportsnola.com

The game did not not start well for the Privateers, as they were down 6-0 after 4 innings. But then in the sixth inning, things got interesting.

Tulane was ahead by a score of 7-2 coming into the bottom of the 6th inning, when Dakota Dean came to the plate with the bases loaded, and came through with a clutch hit 3-run double, to narrow the Green Wave’s lead to a 7-6 advantage,

UNO came through with 2 more runs in the bottom of the seventh to take the lead temporarily, but only to give it back to Tulane 9-8.

This is when “IT” happened.

With men on 1st and 2nd base, Aaron Palmer came to the plate with 2 outs. The electricity that was felt before it happened was simply jaw dropping.

When the ball hit the aluminum bat and sailed to the outfield the fans went nuts. The tying run came across and then the winning run as the Privateer bench stormed the field. The stadium went into full celebratory mode with strangers hugging and giving high fives.

UNO had just beat its rival as well as a Top 25 team.

Blake Dean has this team simply blazing hot and believing that there may be something special happening down by the lakefront.

The whole experience of hearing every single word and sentence uttered because of the close proximity was simply a treasure.

UNO Privateers head baseball coach Blake Dean. Photo courtesy of sportsnola.com

College baseball must be tried by everyone. The fact is that a fan can get so close, it feels that you’re on the field with them. Personally, I can say that I’ve never experienced such a rush of adrenaline after the game was over.

This win is more about baseball. The win will start to draw outsiders to games going forward. If the Privateers keep winning, Blake Dean will soon be known as the “Dean of Baseball.”

The next “huge” game for UNO will be at LSU March 16th. A win there, and UNO may need to start thinking of building a bigger stadium. Here is a link that will show the box score as well.…..