Pilots down 6th ranked Crusaders 10-8 in series opener
April 16, 2004
Sports Information Athletic Department Despite giving up three runs in the top of the first inning, the LSUS Pilots battled their way to a 10-8 victory over the William Carey Crusaders (34-7) Friday night at Pilot Field. LSUS answered with 6 runs of their own in the bottom of the second to take a 6-3 lead which the Pilots kept for the remainder of the game.
A two run triple in the bottom of the second by Chase Cox capped off the 6 run Pilot outburst in the second inning. The Crusaders did not help their cause any as they created 3 errors in the inning. The Crusaders managed to score a run with two outs on a wild pitch by Pilot starter Sam Alphonse (7-3), to make the score 6-4. A Thomas McMannis RBI single in the bottom of the third gave the Pilots gave the Pilots a three run lead once again which was added to in the bottom of the fourth inning when the Pilots tacked on 3 more runs.
The Crusaders added a two run homerun in the 5th inning by 2003 GCAC player of the year Chris Adkins, and another in the top of the 9th inning by Nowell, the Crusaders catcher. Nowell’s homer chased Pilot reliever Tyler Lewis from the game who pitched 4 solid innings of work only allowing 3 hits and 2 earned runs. Pilot closer Cody Willis came on to shut the door for the Pilots and collected his 5th save of the season after walking the first batter he faced on four straight pitches. Willis went on to strike out the next two hitters to end the ballgame and give the Pilots their 29th win of the season.
Lead off hitter Dustin Bissonnette was 3-4 on the night with 2 doubles and an RBI. Jordy Bias also collected 3 hits which included 3 2 RBI and also scored 3 of the Pilots 10 runs. Designated hitter Chase Cox and Pilot right fielder Thomas McMannis also had multiple hit nights, each going 2-4 and collecting 2 RBI’s.
Adkins and Nowell did all the damage for the Crusaders as they were a combined 4-6 with 6 RBI and 3 runs scored. Jordan was the losing pitcher for the Crusaders allowing 7 runs, only 5 earned on 8 hits in 2.1 innings pitched.
The Pilots and Crusaders will be back in action again tomorrow afternoon at Pilot Field in a double-header which will begin at 1:00pm, following a special tribute to the Pilots senior class of 2004 beginning at approximately 12:30pm.
All LSUS News Releases are Online at: http://www.lsus.edu/athletics/ To receive LSUS Sports Releases by e-mail, contact Allan Cantwell at: sports@pilot.lsus.edu
LSUS Athletics Contact: Allan Cantwell Sports Information 318-797-5194 (office) 318-572-6237 (cellular)
