Pilots settle for split versus Rams
April 03, 2004
After beating the University of Mobile Rams 10-4 Friday night, the LSUS Pilots looked to add to their 2 game lead over the Rams in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Saturday afternoon in double-header action. The Rams jumped out to an early two nothing lead in the top of the first of Pilot ace Gene Stevens who suffered his shortest start of the season, only pitching 3.2 innings while allowing 5 earned runs on 7 hits.
Mobile pushed 3 runs across in the fourth inning and 4 more in the 5th to give them a 10-6 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth inning. The Pilots offense however managed to get 2 runs of their own in the fifth inning and a 3 run sixth inning which was capped by a two out two RBI single by Thomas McMannis gave the Pilots an 11-10 lead heading into the top of the 7th inning.
Pilots closer Cody Willis entered the game looking for his 5th save of the year and looked good early collecting two quick outs. The Pilots were one strike away from victory as Willis had Rams center fielder Justin Parker down 1-2 in the count. Parker managed to draw a walk off Willis and then advanced to third on a pick-off attempt that ended up in right field. Parker then advanced home on a wild pitch to tie the game at 11-11.
After a scoreless bottom of the seventh, the game headed into extra innings which saw Mobile score 5 runs in the top of the ninth inning when the Pilots defense totally collapsed behind Willis. Of the five runs surrendered by Willis (0-1), not one was earned as the Pilots had 3 errors in the inning. The Pilots were held scoreless in the bottom of the 9th and dropped game two of the series by a score of 16-11.
The Rams collected 16 runs on 18 hits while surrendering 3 errors in the ball game. Raul Santana led the Rams with a 4-5 effort which included 2 runs scored and 3 RBI. LSUS collected 11 runs on 11 hits while giving up 5 errors in the game. Pilot senior Wesley Gray was 2-4 with a homerun, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI. Freshman Jordy Bias pitched in with his 4th homer of the season and also scored 4 of the Pilots 11 runs.
Game two saw the Pilots come out with a vengeance as they went on to beat the Rams 8-0 behind a complete game 4 hit shutout by freshman Kevin Jewell (5-1). Jewell silenced the Rams offense while his teammates managed to rough up Rams starter Russ Howard (3-3) for 4 runs in the second inning which was capped by a two RBI single by Pilot catcher Jeremie Chabot. LSUS second baseman Wesley Gray continued to lead the Pilots offense with a 2-4, 2 run, and 1 RBI performance to give the Pilots their 26th win of the year.
LSUS is now 26-15 on the year, 13-8 in the GCAC which puts the two games ahead of the Rams for second place. The Pilots will be idle next weekend and then will play host to the conference leading William Carey College Crusaders April 16th and 17th in a three game series at Pilot Field.
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)
