Pilots split double-dip vs NCAA opponents
April 18, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots played host to NCAA Division II Southern Arkansas University Muleriders, and NCAA Division I University of Louisiana-Monroe Tuesday afternoon at Pilot Field. The Pilots used the long ball in game one en route to a 16-3 victory over SAU, but a late eighth inning rally by ULM proved to be too much as the Pilots dropped a 9-4 decision in the night cap.
In game one, Pilots center fielder Dusty Maddox belted a solo-homerun over the center field fence to open the scoring, and capped off the inning with a bases loaded three RBI double down the left field line, giving the Pilots an 8-0 lead over the Muleriders after one inning of play.
Steffan Primeaux took over from there belting two homeruns, including a 7th inning grand slam en route to a season high seven RBI game, as the Pilots went on to win by a final score of 16-3.
Maddox and Primeaux combined for five hits (three homeruns), five runs scored, and 11 RBI in the contest. Pilots senior right fielder Tyler Williams finished 3-3 with four runs scored while teammate Riley Cook added a 3-5 performance which included two runs scored and an RBI.
Daniel Welch (5-1) scattered four hits, three walks, and five hit batsman through 7.0 innings of work to collect his 5th win of the season.
Skyler Stromsmoe highlighted the Mulrider offense with a two-run homerun in the top of the 5th inning, and finished 2-3 at the plate with a hit by pitch and a walk.
Todd Woodruff (6-1) suffered his first loss of the season after allowing six runs on six hits in 1.0 innings of work.
With the win the Pilots stopped a three game skid and improved to 29-17 on the season while SAU dropped to 27-13 on the year.
After ULM dropped SAU by a 4-3 decision in an afternoon contest, LSUS and ULM squared off in the cap at Pilot Field.
ULM jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after a leadoff homerun by Steve Lawler and an RBI single by Bo Bowman.
LSUS was quick to respond as Dustin Bissonnette singled to right-center field and scored on a monster homerun over the scoreboard in left-center field by Maddox, his second of the day.
Maddox tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the 4th with a bases loaded infield single that scored Quenton Shamsabody who led off the inning with a double to left field.
Pilots reliever Tyler Lewis cruised through 6.0 innings allowing just two hits, but fell victim in the 7th to a defensive miscue by the Pilot infield which was followed by a bad hop on what had potential to be an inning ending double play, but instead turned into a two run rally for ULM that stretched their lead to 6-3.
LSUS responded in their half of the 7th after Primeaux doubled to right-center field and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Riley Cook cutting the lead to 6-4.
ULM put the game out of reach in the 8th after scoring four runs off Pilot reliever Matt Clayman who took the mound for Lewis in the 7th. Andy Jones capped off the inning with a two RBI double to right field which spelled the end for Clayman who allowed four runs on six hits in 1.0 innings of work.
ULM reliever DJ Fortenberry held the Pilots scoreless through 2.2 innings to preserve the 9-4 victory. David Mixon (1-6) received credit for the win after completing 4.0 innings allowing three runs on six hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
Bowman and Jones led ULM at the plate with three hits apiece and combined for three runs scored and five RBI.
Despite a brilliant pitching performance in relief, Lewis (2-6) was tagged with the loss. He allowed two runs on four hits, and collected six strikeouts in 6.1 innings of work.
Maddox finished 3-5 at the plate with a homerun and three RBI. Bissonnette added a 3-3 performance while Shamsabody and Primeaux each added a pair of hits including two doubles and two runs scored.
LSUS will return to action again Friday night when they play host to the Belhaven College Blazers, and will look to regain the top spot in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Game one is scheduled for 6:30pm Friday night a Pilot Field.
