Athletics

The LSUS Pilots defeated the University of Mobile Rams 6-4 to advance to the championship round of the NAIA Region XIII Baseball Tournament Friday afternoon at Pilots Field.  The Pilots will play tonight against the winner of the game between Lee University and Auburn-Montgomery.

Pilots senior pitcher Derek Cunningham, who had been hit hard in the first inning of two previous tournament games, came on in relief of starter Mitch Jones with two outs in the fourth inning, allowed one run the remainder of the way to secure the win.

The visiting team on its own field, the Pilots scored once in the first inning when junior designated hitter Jeremie Chabot hit a single, advanced to second on a stolen base and to third on a throwing error, then went across the plate on a single by junior right fielder Chris Frye.

Mobile tied the game in the bottom of the third, and then took the lead with two runs in the fourth.  LSUS tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the sixth when senior first baseman Kyle Mace, who was replaced by pinch-runner Bryan Cooksey, and sophomore shortstop Brandon Magierowski walked, then scored on a single to left field by freshman third baseman Steffan Primeaux.

The pilots scored three more runs with two outs in the top of the seventh as Chabot, Frye and Mace crossed the plate.  The seventh ended with Magierowski stranded on third.

The Rams threatened in the bottom of the seventh, but managed only one run.  The eighth and ninth were exciting, but scoreless innings.

The tournament, hosted by LSUS, is sponsored by CHRISTUS Schumpert Health System and the Shreveport Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau.

See the tournament Web site at http://www.region13baseballtournament.com/ for complete coverage.