Lombardi, Tulane Knot Series with Charlotte

Thursday, May 16

Charlotte, NC

1:00 PM

Tulane University

29-24, 13-12

Charlotte

23-30, 12-13

Tulane

Charlotte

Michael Lombardi got it done on both the mound and at the dish Thursday.

May 16, 2024 | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

CHARLOTTE – Tulane's Michael Lombardi blasted a game-tying homer in the top of the eighth and finished a strong effort on the mound to solidify a 5-4 win in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader at Hayes Stadium in Charlotte.

The 49ers took the first game by a 9-7 tally.

Heading into Friday's 2 p.m. series finale, the Green Wave stands at 30-24 overall and 14-12 in the American Athletic Conference. Charlotte is 23-31 and 12-14 in the league.

The 30 Tulane victories doubled the 2023 team's regular season output, prior to its furious run to an AAC Tournament title. The 2024 Wave was picked ninth in the AAC Preseason Poll.

Tulane LHP Billy Price (2-2, 3.50 ERA) will get the start on Friday.

Game 1: Charlotte 9, Tulane 7

The host 49ers pulled out two-run win in the series opener in a contest that saw 13 of its 16 runs scored in the final four innings of play.

Charlotte second baseman Shane Taylor broke a 7-all tie with a two-run single in the bottom of the eighth for the game-winning tallies. That was part of a five-RBI day that also included a three-run bomb in the seventh.

Right fielder Noah Furcht went 3-for-4, which included a solo homer of his own on the heels of the Taylor home run.

Center fielder Teo Banks (first inning) and second baseman Connor Rasmussen (seventh) had solo shots for Tulane. Lombardi and right fielder Matthias Haas drove in a pair of runs.

AJ Wilson (5-3) got win in relief for Charlotte, pitching the eighth and ninth frames where he gave up just one run on one hit with one walk.

Tulane reliever Carter Benbrook (2-1) took the loss, giving up two runs on three hits with two strikeouts and two walks in an inning of work. Starter Luc Fladda went five strong innings, allowing two runs on four hits.

Game 2: Tulane 5, Charlotte 4

Lombardi (3-4) went the final three and two-thirds innings for the visitors, surrendering just three hits with five strikeouts and one walk to get the victory. Starter Chandler Welch was also fantastic, hurling four shutout innings, giving up five hits and one walk with eight strikeouts.

Charlotte's Joseph Taylor (2-3) took the defeat, giving up a run on two hits with two strikeouts and one walk. That run was scored by Tulane catcher Colin Tuft on a rope down the left field line by Jackson Linn in the top of the eighth inning.

Tulane third baseman Gavin Schulz staked the visitors to a two-run lead on a homer in the top of the third.

Charlotte got 12 hits with two apiece coming from Furcht catcher Caden Hopson, whose two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth gave the hosts a 4-3 lead before Lombardi ruined the party.

NOTES: Rasmussen and Banks are tied for the team lead with 13 doubles … Banks now has the team lead in homers (13).

DOWNLOAD THE APP
Download the official mobile app of Tulane Athletics. Now, you can stay in touch with the Green Wave anytime and anywhere on your Android or iOS mobile device.

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For behind-the-scenes coverage, follow Tulane baseball (@GreenWaveBSB) on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

WE ARE NOLA BUILT
Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, All-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.