NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana scored in four of its first six innings, but the University of New Orleans used an eight-run second as the springboard to a 17-7 baseball victory Tuesday at UNO's Maestri Field.
        The Gold Rush will begin a three-game Red River Athletic Conference home series against Louisiana Christian one day earlier because of expected rain Saturday. XULA and LCU will play at 6 p.m. Thursday, then a 1 p.m. Friday doubleheader. Skelly-Rupp Stadium (2515 Vespasian Blvd., zip 70114) will be the venue.
        Miles Peterson reached on an error to lead off the game, stole second and came home on Kai Higginson's double to center field to give XULA its only lead. Starting pitcher Zion Morris retired the Privateers in order in the bottom of the first. But UNO took the lead for good during a second inning that included Marco Mueses' three-run double and RBI doubles by Bryan Loriga and Bryce Calloway.
        XULA scored two runs apiece in the third, fourth and six innings, including Morris' two-run double in the third and Jayden Smith's and Eric Griffin's RBI singles in the sixth.
        The game was called in the bottom of the seventh because of the 10-run rule. Collin Husser's two-run double down the left-field line ended it.
        Peterson and Higginson scored twice apiece. Six Privateers had multiple hits; Meuses was 3-for-4 with five RBIs, and Justin Best scored four times and drove home two.
        XULA is 4-14, and UNO is 8-7.