Norris, Pearson charge Pilots past HTU for series sweep
March 25, 2012
SHREVEPORT, La. - Logan Norris tossed his first complete game of the year allowing just four hits as he shutout the Huston-Tillotson Rams behind a dominating performance by Kyle Pearson who drove in eight of the 16 runs in a 16-0 series sweeping win on Sunday afternoon at Downs Field.
Norris (4-1) set the tone early as he retired the first four batters that he faced. The first base runner reached on an error but was forced out on a fielder's choice and that runner was left stranded. The only walk he surrendered came in the fourth inning and the Rams did not get a hit in the game until a lead-off blooper from Nick Goode to break up the no-no. Norris tossed all seven innings walking just one batter and striking out seven.
The Pilots' (26-3, 14-3 RRAC) offense came to life with 11 runs in the top of the second inning after the HTU center fielder Adam Chatman dropped a two-out fly ball that allowed the second run of the inning. LSUS would tack on nine more unearned runs in the inning. Pearson hit his first grand slam of the day launching the 1-2-fastball just inside the fair-poll down the left field line. David Dorton later added a two-run single followed by a two-run homer from Devin Greco for the second homer of the inning.
HTU (3-18, 0-9 RRAC) could not get anything going off the sophomore right-hander from Benton until they loaded the bases in the sixth inning but Norris stood tall fanning Bryan Castillo to end the threat. The Rams started the seventh with back to back seeing-eye singles but was quickly erased by a 4-6-3 double play and then a strikeout ended the game.
LSUS added five more runs in the top of the fifth as David Perkins drove in a run with a double down the left-field line. A full-count walk to Ridge Gonsoulin loaded the bases for Pearson once again who needed a triple to complete the cycle. Pearson blasted another 1-2-fastball over the left field fence for his second grand slam of the day as he drove in eight runs on a perfect four of four day at the plate.
The visitors pounded 14 hits with a total of four having multi-hits. In addition to Pearson's monster day at the plate Stephen Hobbins was also perfect at the plate going two for two with two runs scored. Dorton drove in a pair of runs after a two for three performance while Tyler Alton was two for three with a RBI and two runs scored. Greco was one for three with three RBIs.
The first place Pilots have now won seven games in a row and 12 of their last 13 games as they take a stronger hold on first place in the Red River Athletic Conference standings following the former number one team, UT-Brownsville, suffering a sweep to the Northwood Knights.
The next game for the Pilots will be on Wednesday night, March 28, at Allgood Field on the campus of Louisiana College. LSUS and the Wildcats will begin at 6 p.m.
