Rams 9th inning rally falls short; Pilots win 6-5
March 14, 2006
Shreveport, LA—The LSUS Pilots held off al ate Texas Wesleyan University rally in the top of the 9th inning to preserve a 6-5 win and improved to 13-7 on the year.
The Pilots led 5-0 heading into the top of the 7th inning before the Rams cut the lead to 5-2 after back-to-back-to-back singles plated Brandon Frasier and Jason Diaz.
Pilots second baseman, Dustin Bissonnette, drove in Quenton Shamsabody with a two out single in the bottom of the 8th stretching the lead to 6-2.
Pilot reliever Chris Marks remained on the mound after pitching a scoreless 8th, and got two quick outs in the 9th. However, the Rams would not go quietly as they connected on four straight base hits of Marks, including a two RBI triple by Billie Hicks which cut the lead to 6-4, who scored one batter later on a single by Cory Venable making the score 6-5. The Pilots then called upon Kevin Jewell to close the door and preserve the Pilots 13th win of the season. Frasier greeted Jewell with a double to left-center field advancing Venable to third, and represented the go ahead run at second base. Jewell managed to get the hot hitting Diaz to ground out to the pitchers mound to end the late Ram rally, and collected his first save of the season as the Pilots held on to win 6-5.
Caleb Thomas was tagged with the loss after scattering six hits and five runs (three earned) through 6.0 innings pitched. Diaz led the Rams offense with a 3-5 performance at the plate while Hicks finished 2-5 with two RBI and a run scored.
Pilots starter Tyler Lewis completed a season high 6.0 shutout innings and collected his first win of the season. Colin Moro led the Pilots offense with a 2-4 performance which was highlighted by a two out, two RBI double in the first inning. Bissonnette finished 2-5 with two RBI and a run scored while teammate Brent Lavalle added two RBI singles.
The Pilots and Rams will square off again tomorrow afternoon at 3:00pm at Pilot Field.
