Hattiesburg, Miss. - The LSUS Pilots avoided elimination in the 2009 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament with a 13-8 victory over the top-seeded William Carey Crusaders on Saturday afternoon.

Jeffrey Garidel and Stephen Hobbins led the Pilots at the plate with two hits apiece and three RBIs, while leadoff hitter Brandon Bravata had a team-high three hits in the game

William Carey got on the board first with two runs in the second inning, but the Pilots used an eight-run third inning to take an 8-2 lead and control of the game.

After Carey scored two more in the top of the fourth to cut the Pilots lead down to just four runs, LSUS responded with three more runs in the bottom half of the inning to go ahead 11-4.

The Crusaders scored single runs in the fifth and the sixth innings, while LSUS added two more in the seventh.  Trailing 13-6 entering the final frame, WCU loaded the bases with no outs, but only came up with two runs in the innings as the Pilots hung on for the victory.

LSUS starter John James recorded his 12th victory of the season, throwing five innings and allowing five runs - only two of which were earned.

With the win, LSUS knocked out the No. 1 seed and now advances to face Belhaven College in a 7:00 PM contest later tonight.  Belhaven defeated the Pilots 7-0 on Friday night and is the only undefeated team remaining in the tournament.