Rams salvage series with 6-4 win in game three over Pilots
March 25, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots had a chance to sweep the three game series against the University of Mobile Rams Saturday after winning game one of the double header 2-1, and led 4-3 heading into the top of the 7th of game two. The Rams however avenged a come from behind win by the Pilots in game one with a comeback win of their own, The Rams went on to score three runs in the 7th and held on to take game two by a final score of 6-4.
In game one, Rams starting pitcher Jason Ragan squared off against Pilots left-hander Kevin Jewell in a pitcher’s duel.
Jewell held the Rams scoreless through the first three innings before falling victim to a rare Pilot error. With two outs, Rams right fielder Justin Rosen singled to center field. Rosen tried to advance to third on a single to left field off the bat of Corey Cooper forcing a quick throw to third base from Colin Moro which hoped over the Pilot infielders and found its way into the dugout, allowing Rosen to score the first run of the ball game.
It looked as though one run would be all that Ragan needed as he held the Pilots scoreless through the 6th inning, while collecting 10 strikeouts. However, Ragan walked Pilot leadoff hitter Quenton Shamsabody to begin the bottom of the 7th. Ragan forced a ground ball to shortstop Eduardo Davila who tried for the force out at second base but the throw brought second baseman Jerod Baria off the bag, and Baria followed with a wild throw that landed in the Rams dugout putting Pilots at second and third with no out.
Ragan struck out Brent Lavalee, his 11th of the game for the first out. Bryan Cooksey then delivered a one out sacrifice fly that allowed pinch runner Riley Cook to score and tie the game at 1-1, and allowed Watkins to advance to third base. A walk to Dustin Bissonnette brought Dusty Maddox to the plate with two out. Maddox delivered a game winning RBI to left-center field to score Watkins giving the Pilots a 2-1 victory.
Ragan suffered the loss after finishing 6.2 innings while allowing two runs (one earned), four hits and four walks. Rosen and Cooper led the Rams offence with two hits a piece.
Jewell improved to 5-0 on the year with the win and collected his fourth complete game of the season while scattering six hits and allowing just one walk. Maddox led the Pilot offense with a 2-3 performance including the game winning RBI.
In game two, the Pilots got to Rams starter Jesse Luker early scoring two runs in the bottom of the 1st that was highlighted by an RBI double by Pilot right fielder Tyler Williams.
The score remained 2-0 until the top of the 5th when Carlos Romero delivered a 3-2 offering from Pilot starter Chris Steadman over the right field fence giving the Rams a 3-2 lead.
Joey Mooney took the mound in relief of Luker in the 6th, and after two hit by pitches to Bissonnette and Maddox that was followed by a base hit single from Williams, the Pilots had the bases loaded with no out.
Pilot cleanup hitter Colin Moro delivered a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Bissonnette to tie the game at 3-3, while Maddox tagged from second to advance to third base safely.
Mooney followed by striking out Watkins for the second out of the inning. With two out and an 0-2 count on Cooksey, the Maddox broke for home and slid in safely for the go ahead run, and the Pilots led 4-3 heading into the top of the 7th.
LSUS sent JV Laffite who came on in relief of Steadman in the 6th back to the mound to begin the 7th. Rams catcher Ryan Liebe led off the inning with a single to center field, chasing Laffite from the ball game. Williams came on in relief from right field hoping to preserve the 4-3 lead.
Pinch hitter John Wood greeted Williams with a base hit bunt to the right side of the infield. TJ Esfeller followed with a pop up bunt that flew over the Pilots crashing defense to load the bases.
Williams got pinch hitter Lance Howard to ground out to first base for the first out, with all UM runners advancing, including the tying run from third. With one out and runners at second and third, the Pilots elected to pitch to Davila and got a fly ball to shallow right field, and held the go ahead run at third base.
With two outs, Baria delivered a two out RBI single that hoped by a diving Bissonnette putting the Rams ahead 6-4.
The Pilots threatened in the bottom of the 7th with runners on first and second, but Mooney struck out Maddox for the third out, avoiding the three game sweep.
Baria led the Rams offense going 1-3 including the game winning two RBI single. Mooney was credited with the win after completing 2.0 innings pitched, allowing just one run on one hit, while collecting three strikeouts.
Williams finished 2-3 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored leading the Pilots offense, but took the loss after allowing two runs and four hits in the 7th.
The Pilots remain in top spot of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference at 10-4, and have improved to 20-9 on the year. The Pilots will return to action Tuesday night at Pilot Field when they will play host to the University of Texas-Tyler. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 pm.
