Oklahoma City, Okla. – No. 19 LSUS picked up an 8-5 victory over No. 22 Southern Nazarene University on the first day of the NAIA Baseball Opening-Round Tournament at Oklahoma City University.
Quinton Shamsabady launched a three-run homer with the game tied at four in the top of the sixth to give the Pilots a 7-4 advantage and the lead for good.
LSUS opened up the game’s scoring in the second inning on an RBI single by Jeffrey Garidel, but SNU scored two runs in the third and fourth innings to take a 4-1 lead over the Pilots.
The Pilots scored two in the fifth on a SNU throwing error and an RBI single by Brent Lavallee. Both runs came with two outs in the inning.
In the pivotal sixth inning, LSUS trailed 4-3 with two outs and nobody on base, but they rallied to score four two-out runs and take control of the game. Stephen Hobbins started the rally with a walk and later scored on a wild pitch before Shamsabady’s three-run shot over the fence.
John James won his 13th game on the mound for the Pilots, improving his record to 13-1 on the season, while Matt Morgal took the loss for Southern Nazarene.
Brandon Bravata, Lavallee and Hobbins each had two hits to lead the Pilots on the afternoon.
LSUS (42-14) will play again tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 in the winner’s bracket.
