LSUS opens GCAC Tournament with 9-3 victory over Wolfpack
May 03, 2007
Mobile, AL---Chris Frye belted a bases loaded triple to right-center field in the top of the 3rd inning to open the scoring in game one of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament between the LSUS Pilots (37-13) and the Loyola University Wolfpack. The Pilots added a single run in the 4th and two more in the 5th stretching their lead to 6-0, and coasted to a 9-3 opening round victory.
“Overall we played a very solid baseball game. We were able to get a lot of player’s in the game to get their tournament jitters out which I think will help a lot over the next couple of weeks. Our bullpen did an outstanding job of throwing strikes and challenging hitters with the lead,” commented Pilots Head Coach Rocke Musgraves.
Leading 4-0 heading into the 5th, the Pilots took advantage of a misplayed grounder by Wolfpack shortstop Andy Rodriguez. Frye promptly stole his first of four bases on the day which was followed by a walk to designated hitter Scott Talley, marking the end for starter Thomas Gibbs.
Brandon Magierowski belted an RBI single to right field off reliever Stephen Ratasky, and Talley later scored on a sacrifice fly to right field from Brent Lavallee giving the Pilots a 6-0 lead.
“We did a good job against Gibbs who held us to just two runs earlier in the season. I saw a lot of guys trying to use the middle of the field, and we were also very effective with the “small ball” part of our offense,” said Musgraves.
Loyola threatened in the 5th inning loading the bases with no out. Pilots starter Matt Clayman however struck out Kevin Fontenot for the first out, which was followed by an RBI fielder’s choice from Rodriguez making the score 6-1. Brian Mason flew out to right field for the third out of the inning.
“I didn’t feel great out there today as far as arm strength, but I was able to locate and use my slider effectively which kept them off balance and made for some quick innings,” commented Clayman.
Clayman completed 5.0 innings of work in which he allowed one run on four hits while walking two and striking out three. Magierowski and Quenton Shamsabady each collected two hits and combined for two runs scored and three RBI. Bryan Cooksey returned to the Pilots starting lineup for the first time in two weeks due to injury and delivered two hits for the Pilots including a leadoff double in the 9th inning.
With the victory the Pilots advanced to Round II of the tournament where they will square off against the University of Mobile Rams who defeated the William Carey College Crusaders 10-7 Wednesday afternoon.
LSUS will send senior right hander Daniel Welch (7-1) to the mound for Thursday’s contest. Welch held the Rams to just one run last weekend en route to a 6-1 victory. Game time is slated for 7:00pm.
