Pilots split double-header with Wolfpack
March 13, 2004
After a 3-2 victory over the Loyola University Wolfpack Friday night, LSUS had a chance to move into sole possession of second place in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference with two wins on Saturday. The Pilots looked as if they were in control heading into the top of the sixth inning in game one as Pilot starter Daniel Welch (0-1) had only allowed two runs on five hits in his first 5 innings of work.
Loyola managed back to back singles to begin the sixth inning off Welch which brought sophomore pitcher Tyler Lewis to the mound to try and escape the Loyola rally. The Wolfpack however jumped all over Lewis and scored 6 runs off the sophomore. Loyola tacked on another run off Mitchell Person to take a 9-3 lead. Wolfpack starter Justin Harris went the distance in this one allowing 3 runs on 6 hits. Harris (3-0) did not walk a single batter and collected 3 strikeouts in his 7 inning complete game 9-3 victory over the Pilots.
Andy Rodriguez led the Wolfpack offense with a 2-5 effort which included 2 RBI and a run scored. David Lauricella also pitched in with 2 hits and a run scored. Senior Wesley Gray continued to be the spark plug to LSUS’ offense with a 2-4 effort which included an RBI and one run scored.
In game two of the double-header the Wolfpack picked up right where they left off in game one as they scored 3 runs in the first off of Pilot starter Sam Alphonse. LSUS answered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the first when a Patrick Jolley fielders choice scored leadoff hitter Dustin Bissonnett to make the score 3-1.
A David Sudyka homerun in the top of the second made it a 5-1 ballgame in favor of the Wolfpack, but a two out rally which led to 5 runs in the Pilots half of the inning gave the Pilots a 6-5 lead.
Freshman pitcher Kevin Jewell (2-0) took over for Sam Alphonse in the third innning. Loyola managed to push across two more runs and regain the lead at 7-6. Jewell managed to settle in after that and did not allow Loyola to score again in the game and earned an 8-7 victory after the Pilots rallied for 2 runs in the bottom of the sixth.
Dustin Bissonnett finished the game going 2-4 including 2 RBI and 2 runs scored for the Pilots. Wesley Gray was also 2-4 and scored the game winning run on a third strike curve ball that got away from the Wolfpack catcher. Patrick Jolley had a game high 4 RBI while only registering one hit.
Loyola third baseman Kevin Kalina was 2-4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored. James Blakeman suffered the loss while giving up 8 runs, only 5 earned on 8 hits in 5.2 innings of work.
LSUS (14-8, 7-5) and Loyola (15-6, 7-5) are now tied for second in the GCAC at 7-5 behind the William Carey Crusaders who are currently at 9-1 in conference. Loyola will play host to the Crusaders next weekend while LSUS will be at Pilot Field to host the Belhaven Blazers in a three game series starting 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)
