Pilots defeat Southwest to complete the series sweep
March 05, 2011
SHREVEPORT, La. - The no. 13 LSU Shreveport Pilots baseball team handed the University of the Southwest Mustangs their third loss of the weekend as the Pilots took the final game of the series by an 8-3 decision on Saturday afternoon at Pilot Field. LSUS becomes the first team to sweep a three-game RRAC series from Southwest this season.
For the first time this series the Pilots (15-7, 9-0 RRAC) got on the board first as they plated three runs in the first inning to take the early lead. Kevin Smith drove in a pair of runs with a single followed by an RBI-single from Justin Brodnax.
Southwest (6-17, 3-9 RRAC) used the bunt in the fifth inning to cause the Pilots to make two throwing errors which led to a three-run inning for the visitors to tie the game at three after five complete. The game remained tied until the Pilots sent pinch-hitter Kyle Pearson to the plate as he blasted his second homer of the year, a missile over the right field wall to put the Pilots back on top 5-3 after seven complete innings of play.
LSUS scored three more runs in the eighth inning to insure the lead for the win, 8-3 Beaudoin was credited with an RBI as he reached on a fielder's choice. Moy laid down a perfect bunt with runners at first and second for a single but the throw from the third basemen sailed down the right field line to score the other two run.
LSUS starter Cody Boutte did a great job on the mound but had a hiccup in the fifth inning that allowed three runs home for Southwest. Boutte tossed six and 1/3 and allowed three hits, walked four and struck out three batters. Reliever Drew Middleton (3-1) picked up the win in an inning and 2/3 as he gave up no hits, no runs and did not walk a batter. Brodnax threw the ninth inning and fanned tow of the five batters that he faced.
Ernesto Torres (0-5) suffered the loss for Southwest as he allowed seven hits and four earned runs over six and 1/3. Micah Martinez was the only hitter with multi-hits for Southwest as he went two for three with a RBI.
The Pilots only had one batter with multi-hits as well as Brodnax was two for four with a RBI. Pearson was one for one with two RBIs as his two-run shot in the seventh proved to be the game winner. Smith was one for four with two RBIs. Beaudoin was one for four with a RBI.
The next game for the Pilots will be on Wednesday afternoon as they welcome the defending National Champion and no. 1 ranked Cumberland University to Pilot Field for a single nine-inning game beginning at 4:00 p.m.
