Pilots steal two from Steers
February 06, 2007
Shreveport, LA---The 2007 version of the LSUS Pilots (2-0) baseball team took the field Tuesday afternoon for their season opener against the Texas College Steers (0-4). The Pilots belted four triples and stole nine bases in game one en route to an 8-2 victory. In game two, the Pilots combined for 12 stolen bases and received a dominant pitching performance from junior right hander Juan Leon who collected seven strikeouts in 4.0 innings of work, and swept the two game set with a 9-1 victory.
The Pilots sent 6’6 junior right hander Mark Dainty to the mound for game one. Dainty began his career in a Pilot uniform by promptly striking out the side in the top of the 1st inning.
The Pilots offense erupted for four runs in the first inning which was highlighted by back-to-back triples by Chris Frye and Colin Moro. LSUS added a solo run in the 2nd inning after senior shortstop Brandon Magierowski belted a triple to deep left-center field, and later scored on a sacrifice fly by freshman second baseman Chase Jennings.
Nicholas Pena collected the Steers first hit in the top of the 4th after sending a Dainty offering to deep left field. Jared Munce followed with a bloop-RBI single to left field by which cut the Pilots lead to 6-1.
The Pilots responded with a solo run of their own in the bottom of the 4th after David McGhee belted a one out triple to right center field, and scored on a two out RBI double by Frye stretching making the score 7-1.
Pena added his second double of the game in the 6th inning and later scored on a Daniel Treat RBI single to left field off Pilots reliever Paul Marlow cutting the lead to 7-2.
The Pilots would add a solo run in the bottom of the 6th and sent senior right hander Matt Clayman to the mound in the 7th. Clayman preserved the 8-2 victory by striking out the side.
Dainty (1-0) allowed one run on two hits in 4.0 innings of work. He added six strikeouts while walking one.
Frye led the Pilots offense with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate which included three RBI and a run scored. Magierowski also finished with two hits and three runs scored while adding two stolen bases.
In game two the Pilots combined a solid starting pitching performance with aggressive base running and timely hitting to take game two by a final score of 9-1.
Leon (1-0) allowed just two hits and one unearned run while striking out seven in 4.0 innings of work.
LSUS jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first and added four more runs in the 3rd which was highlighted by a two RBI triple to right-center field by freshman left fielder Josh Todd which put the Pilots ahead 7-1.
The running game was led by McGhee and Moro who combined for six of the Pilots 12 stolen bases in the victory. Designated hitter Scott Talley led the Pilots offense with a 2-for-4 effort at the plate which included an RBI and a run scored.
A trio of Pilots relievers tossed three shutout innings in game two. Victor Hernandez took the mound for the first time in a Pilots uniform and tossed a perfect 5th inning. Blake Pinkston finished a scoreless 6th before handing the ball off to Kevin Jewell who struck out the side in the 7th.
The Pilots will now look forward to hosting Lindenwood University (4-0) this upcoming weekend in a three game series at Pilots Field. Game one of Saturday’s double header is scheduled for 4:00pm. Game three is scheduled for 1:00pm Sunday afternoon.
For those who cannot attend, please tune into a live broadcast with the voice of the Pilots Mark Cantrell who will be calling all the live action. Just visit www.lsus.edu/baseball/ and click the “Listen Live” icon on the bottom left on the page.
If you would like to become a member of the LSUS Pilots Baseball media distribution list, please email Al Cantwell at sports@lsus.edu.
