Pilots salvage series with 16-9 win over Rams
April 30, 2006
Mobile, AL---The LSUS Pilots (34-31, 17-13) needed to take one of three games from the University of Mobile Rams (17-13) in order to clinch the number two seed in the upcoming Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament. After dropping both ends of a double-header Friday 3-1 and 2-1, the Pilots offense responded with 16 runs en route to a 16-9 victory in game three over the Rams.
Dustin Bissonnette and Riley Cook each flirted with completing the cycle Saturday afternoon as they led the Pilot offense with three hit performances. Bissonnette led off the top of the 1st inning with a single to center field, and later scored on a two out bases loaded double to left-field by Cook off Rams starter Simon Badeaux. Brandon Magierowski followed with a two RBI single up the middle, and promptly scored on a double to right field by Pilot catcher Brent Lavallee giving the Pilots an early 5-0 lead.
After a double to left field by Steffan Primeaux to lead off the second, Cook collected an RBI triple to right-center field, and scored one batter later after Magierowski belted his first homerun of the season to left field stretching the Pilot lead to 8-0.
UM added two runs of their own in the bottom of the 2nd when Tyler Burns drove a JV Laffitte offering over the fence in left field cutting the lead to 8-2.
A solo-homerun by Cook and a two RBI triple by Bissonnette however sparked a five run top of the 4th which increased the Pilot led to 13-2.
The Rams would add five runs of their own in the bottom of the 5th after Justin Rosen belted a grand slam off Pilot reliever Daniel Welch which cut the lead to 13-7.
Tyler Lewis held the Rams offense to five hits and two runs through the final four frames as the Pilots held on to win by a final score of 16-9. Laffitte improved to 4-1 with the win after completing 4.0 innings and allowing two runs on four hits, four walks, and collecting three strikeouts.
Cook was held hitless in his final two at bats falling just a single short of the cycle, but finished 3-5 with 4 RBI and three runs scored. Bissonnette finished 3-3 with a single, a double, a triple, two walks, three runs and three RBI. Magierowski added a season high 4-5 performance at the plate which included four RBI and four runs scored.
With the win the Pilots assured themselves of a No. 2 seed in the GCAC Tournament, and will play Loyola University Wednesday night at 7:00pm in the first round.
The Rams and the William Carey College Crusaders will kick-off the tournament at 12:00pm Wednesday; while the No. 1 seeded Belhaven College Blazers will take on the Spring Hill College Badgers at 3:30pm.
