Pilots split double-header with Belhaven
March 20, 2004
The LSUS Pilots were back in action versus the Belhaven College Blazers Saturday afternoon in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference play. The Pilots sent Gene Stevens to the mound in game one of the double-header who was hunting for his 4th win of the year. Stevens (3-2) managed to throw all seven innings and only allowed three runs on 8 hits but fell victim to a lack of run support as the Pilots were blanked 3-0.
Belhaven’s Andy Thibedeaux (3-3) threw a complete game shut-out only allowing 6 hits, 1 walk, and collected 4 strike outs. The Pilots got to Thibedeaux early as the first two hitters of the game reached on singles for the Pilots. After a Kyle Mace sacrifice bunt to move the runners to second and third with only 1 out, the Pilots failed to score. Back-to-back singles in the bottom of the second by the Pilots had Thibedeaux on the ropes once again, but the Pilots failed to move the runners over on a sacrifice bunt and then hit into an inning ending double play.
LSUS could not manage to get anything going after the second, while the Blazers cashed in on solo homeruns by Jared Johnson in the second inning and Scott Ewing in the fifth. Belhaven tacked on another run in the sixth on an RBI double by Buddy Wyrick which put the game out of reach for the Pilots. Wyrick finished 2-3 on the day with an RBI and teammate Ashley Chism was also 2-3 with a run scored.
In game three of the series the Pilots sent freshman left-hander Wesley Cromer to the mound looking to win the rubber match. Cromer held the Blazers scoreless in the first which seemed to spark the Pilots offense. Belhaven’s Larkin Braxton was the victim of a three run first inning by the Pilots. Larkin walked leadoff hitter Dustin Bissonnett who advanced to second after a pickoff attempt ended up in right field. A Kyle Mace single up the middle to score Bissonnett was followed by a 2-run homerun by Jordy Bias. Bias hit his second homerun of the game in the third to give the Pilots a 5-0 lead.
David Alexander took over for Cromer in the 5th inning and allowed 2 runs on 2 hits by the Blazers which made the score 5-3. LSUS pushed across a single run in the bottom of the 6th inning to take a 6-3 lead and then sent closer Cody Willis to the mound who collected his second save of the season. Belhaven did managed to score a single run in the top of the 7th to make the final score 6-4 in favor of the Pilots.
Wesley Cromer picked up the win and improved his record to 2-0 on the year. Braxton fell to 1-4 on the season. Jordy Bias finished 3-3 on the game including 2 homeruns, 3 runs scored and 4 RBI to lead the Pilots to their 17th win of the season. The Pilots improved to 9-6 in the GCAC which is currently good enough for second place.
LSUS will take to the road Monday as they will travel to Thomasville, GA to take on Thomas University Tuesday in a double-header. The Pilots will then head to Montgomery, AL where they will take on the University of Auburn Montgomery and Faulkner University on Wednesday. The Pilots spring break trip will conclude with a 3 game GCAC series versus the Springhill College Badgers beginning Friday night at 6:30pm.
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)
