Knights Dominate Bleu Devils in Saturday Doubleheader, Eye Series Sweep Sunday

The SUNO Knights made a statement Saturday night at Wesley Barrow Stadium, steamrolling the Dillard University Bleu Devils in both ends of a doubleheader to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the three-game series. The Knights won the opener 12-2 before taking the nightcap 11-6, and now stand one win away from a sweep when the two teams square off again Sunday at 2 p.m.

Game 1: Knights 12, Bleu Devils 2

If there was any doubt about which team was in control Saturday evening, the Knights erased it quickly and thoroughly.

SUNO put up crooked numbers in the second, third, and fourth innings, racing out to a 12-0 lead before Dillard could mount any kind of response. The Bleu Devils managed just five hits on the and scored both of their runs in the fourth inning — long after the outcome had been decided.

The Knights broke the ice in the second inning with a pair of runs fueled by aggressive baserunning. Christian Soto drew a walk, then stole third base before scoring on a Dylan Jimenez single to center. Miles Bowens added another run when he took advantage of an error by Dillard's center fielder, putting SUNO up 2-0.

The third inning was where the Knights really turned it on. Kyler Shepherd set the table with a double, and a hit-by-pitch to Braylon Guerin loaded the bases. From there, the hits came in bunches. Soto's RBI single plated Guerin, Bowens followed with a two-run double to score Jhemmal Geraldo and Soto, and Avery Spriggs capped the inning with a two-run double — finishing the frame with four runs and extending the lead to 6-0.

The fourth inning proved to be the knockout blow. SUNO sent 10 batters to the plate, scoring six runs on a chaotic sequence of singles, walks, steals, and wild pitches. Spriggs drew a crucial bases-loaded walk that scored two, and Bowens ultimately came home on a wild pitch to push the lead to 12-0. It was suffocating baseball — the Bleu Devils used four pitchers in the game and simply could not stop the bleeding.

Top Performers — Game 1:

Bowens was the star of the opener, going 3-for-3 with a double, an RBI, two stolen bases, and three runs scored. Spriggs contributed a key double with two RBI, and Jimenez added an RBI single in his busy night. Soto reached base three times and scored three runs, while Guerin drove in a run and scored twice.

On the mound, starter Chris Nunez was masterful. He went six strong innings, allowing just two earned runs on four hits while striking out three and throwing 93 pitches. Nunez picked up the win to move to 1-0.

For Dillard, starter Daryl Tillman Jr. lasted only two innings, surrendering six runs on five hits before being lifted. The Bleu Devils' bullpen offered little relief, as the Knights continued to pile on.

Game 2: Knights 11, Bleu Devils 6

The nightcap had a different feel early — but the result was the same.

Dillard actually kept things relatively quiet in the first four frames of Game 2, but the Knights wasted no time seizing control. SUNO exploded for four runs in the second inning, headlined by a two-run home run off the bat of Jimenez that gave the Knights an early 4-0 advantage. It was a pivotal swing that shifted all the momentum before Dillard even had a chance to settle in.

The Knights added two more in the third inning when catcher Caden Cantu delivered a clutch two-run single to score Soto and Bowens, who had swiped second base moments earlier. The aggressive, relentless baserunning that defined the first game was on full display again — SUNO stole eight bases on the night.

Dillard showed some fight in the sixth inning, scoring five runs to make it 11-6 and give the final score a more respectable look, but by then SUNO had long since locked up the win. The Bleu Devils were unable to mount any sustained pressure early in the game when it mattered most, going hitless through the first four innings against starter Darrin Magee.

Magee was the story on the mound. The right-hander threw five scoreless innings, scattering three hits, walking one, and punching out four batters on just 65 pitches. He was in command from start to finish, and the Knights' defense backed him up cleanly in the early going.

Top Performers — Game 2:

Jimenez was the centerpiece of the nightcap, going 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored. Cantu added a big night behind the dish, going 2-for-3 with a double, three RBI, and a stolen base. Shepherd was on base all night — walking twice, singling, stealing three bases, and driving in three runs. Soto also continued his stellar doubleheader, going 2-for-4 with two doubles and scoring twice. Guerin delivered a crucial two-run triple in the fifth inning to blow the game open.

Darrin Magee earned the win with his five-inning gem, improving to 1-0.

Looking Ahead

The Knights are in the driver's seat and have an opportunity to cap a perfect weekend. SUNO will take on Dillard University in the finale of the three-game series Sunday at 2 p.m. at Wesley Barrow Stadium, looking to complete the sweep and send a message as the young season gets underway.

After two dominant performances — outscoring the Bleu Devils 23-8 over Saturday's twin bill — the Knights have made clear they mean business.

For more information on SUNO Athletics, visit sunoathletics.com.

-SUNOKNIGHTLIFE-

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About SUNO Athletics

The Southern University at New Orleans Knights Department of Athletics emphasizes competitive excellence, academic achievement and community engagement. For the full 2025–26 schedule, rosters, and ticket information, visit sunoathletics.com and follow @sunoathletics on social media.