Pilots Sweep Texas College in double header
March 09, 2012
SHREVEPORT, La. - The no. 6 LSU Shreveport Pilots (19-2, 8-2 RRAC) swept Friday's double header from the Texas College Steers (10-15-1, 3-6-1 RRAC) at Pilot Field taking the first game 5-3 and winning the second game 7-0. The Pilots have now won five games in a row.
GAME 1
The first game of the double header was a pitcher's duel with two of the top starters, Matt Lackie (LSUS) and Chris Blackmon (TC), in the RRAC squaring off. The Steers got on the board first with a RBI-single from Agustin Enriquez in the top of the first. The Pilots tied the game in the bottom of the second with single from David Dorton that plated Devin Greco who walked earlier in the inning.
The Pilots took a one-run lead with a single run coming across the plate in the third after a RBI-single from Kade Billeaudeaux to take a 2-1 lead. The Steers added a pair of runs in the with a RBI-bunt single from Jose Hernandez and later scored on a throwing error by the Pilot's third baseman Greco but he would redeem himself with a fine defensive play in the crucial top of the sixth inning as he dove toward the bag, made a diving catch, and made a strong throw to first for the important out number two of the inning as Lackie cruised to a quick one-two-three sixth.
LSUS took the lead back for good with a two-run single by Ridge Gonsoulin in the fifth inning that proved to be the game winner.
Lackie (5-0) faced plenty of adversity in today's outing as he had to overcome two balks called on him in the first inning that led to the first run of the game for TC. He faced plenty more that was inflicted upon by himself with four walks but he managed through each test as the Steers stranded nine runners on the bases. Lackie picked up his second straight complete game scattering five hits and striking out nine in seven innings of work.
Blackmon (3-3) also went the distance but was on the losing end after six innings of worked allowing six hits and became the first pitcher not to allow an extra base hit to the Pilots. He allowed four earned runs while walking three and striking out four.
GAME 2
The second game of the double header was keyed on Jared Mortensen (5-0) for the Pilots as the right hander controlled the contest for the majority of the game as he tossed eight solid innings allowing only two seeing eye singles the opposite way. He walked three but struck out 11 after 116 pitches. Ben Suit worked the scoreless ninth and faced the minimum. Mortensen nearly mustard a rally for the Steers in the seventh inning after allowing a two-out hit-by-pitch and then a walk but he retired the final batter of the inning to keep a zero in the run column on the board for the visitors.
When Mortensen did not strike out the hitters he got some great help from an error-free defense with an inning-ending diving catch by Ridge Gonsoulin in the second inning. In the fourth inning he induced a double play grounder in the fourth that was turned by the duo up the middle of Stephen Hobbins and Manny Estrada. The next inning Hobbins made a great play on a tough weakly hit chopper that nailed the lead-off batter for Texas College.
Hobbins RBI-single started the scoring for the Pilots plating Jacob Lopez in the second inning until the Pilots took advantage of three Texas College errors in their four-run fourth inning. Greg Friesen and David Dorton both delivered RBI-singles in the inning as the Pilots took a commanding 5-0 lead.
The final two runs of the game came in the sixth inning with Devin Greco having the highlight RBI-single and Tyler Alton scoring the first run of the inning on another TC error.
David Kipp (1-2) suffered the loss for the Steers as he allowed four earned runs on five hits in three innings of work after walking four and striking out three batters.
The Pilots pounded a total of 12 hits in the night cap of the double header as Greco led the way going three of four with a RBI while Dorton had two hits in four trips.
The next game of the series will be the conclusion tomorrow at noon. To listen to the game live click here. Also for live updates follow on twitter @cantrellmark.
