Blazers strike twice to take series 2-1 over Pilots
March 17, 2007
Shreveport, LA---The Belhaven College Blazers (19-10, 10-5) pitching staff combined for 31 strikeouts in Saturday afternoon’s double-header sweep over the LSUS Pilots (16-5). BC took game one by a final score of 5-2 behind a complete game pitching performance by Thomas Royals (2-2), and took game two by a final score of 12-4.
Game 1
The Blazers took advantage of a leadoff hit by pitch from Pilots starter Kevin Jewell (2-3) in the top of the second to score the first run of the ballgame. Buddy Wyrick singled to center which advanced Shawn Anderson to third base with one out, and Reg Ott lifted a sacrifice fly to center scoring Anderson for a 1-0 lead.
The combination of three singles and two LSUS errors in the bottom of the 4th allowed BC to stretch their lead to 4-0.
LSUS answered with a run in the bottom of the 4th inning after a two out single from Bryan Cooksey scored Quenton Shamsabody from second base to cut the BC lead to 4-1.
Bryan Bennett led off the 6th by being hit by a pitch which led to the Blazers 5th run after Anderson who reached on a fielder’s choice scored on a wild throw from catcher Bryan Stebbings while stealing third base.
The Pilots left the bases loaded in the 6th and stranded two runners in the 7th after Royals struck out Cooksey who represented the tying run at the plate to end the game.
BC finished with five hits which included a 2-for-2 performance from Wyrick. Anderson finished 1-for-3 with three runs scored, an RBI, and two stolen bases.
Royals scattered five hits and five walks while collecting 13 strikeouts en route to his second victory of the year.
Cooksey was the lone LSUS offensive spark collecting two of the Pilots five hits.
Jewell allowed five runs (three earned) on five hits, three walks, and two hit by pitches while striking out eight.
Game 2
BC scored early and often against the Pilots posting runs in the 2nd through 7th innings while starting pitcher Paul Faulkenberry held the Pilots to just one hit through six innings.
The Blazers threatened to invoke the ten run mercy rule over the Pilots as they led 12-1 heading into the bottom of the 7th, but a two out double off the wall in left center field by Brandon Magierowski scored David McGhee and Andrew Blubaugh to cut the lead to 12-3.
The Pilots added a solo run in the 8th but that would be the end as Faulkenberry continued to dominate the Pilots as he collected 16 strikeouts through 8.0 innings of work. The starting lefty scattered five hits and three walks while allowing four runs (three earned) to earn the victory.
The BC offense belted 16 hits and were led by David Gilbert who posted a 4-for-4 performance which included a double, two runs scored, and an RBI. Anderson finished 3-for-5 with three runs scored while Bennet and Jeffery Stevens each blasted homeruns and combined for four hits and four RBI.
McGhee and Blubaugh provided the limited offense for the Pilots each finishing 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Pilots starting pitcher Juan Leon (5-1) suffered his first loss of the season after allowing five runs on eight hits in 3.0 innings of work.
