LSUS Pilots Ranked 13th in NAIA Preseason Polls
NOVEMBER 28, 2006
Shreveport, LA---Since a 3rd place finish in the 2003 NAIA World Series, the LSUS Pilots have accumulated a 121-69 overall record which includes a
2005 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championship, a 2006 GCAC Tournament Championship, and appearances in the 2005 and 2006 NAIA Region
XIII Championship games. The Pilots quest for a second appearance at the NAIA World Series will begin in February 2007, but they have made the headlines with a No. 13 preseason ranking after finishing 41-23 in 2006.
The Pilots continued success on the field has resulted in yet another solid recruiting class for Head Coach Rocke Musgraves and his 2007 squad. A big reason for the Pilots preseason ranking lies in the strength of what in Musgraves’ mind has become the strongest pitching staff ever assembled at LSUS.
“It is very exciting when you can say you return your top two arms from the previous season in Kevin Jewell and Matt Clayman, who combined for 17- wins, 156-strikeouts, and platooned for 189.2 innings. We have strengthened both our starting rotation as well as our bullpen which allows us to start some very quality arms during our midweek games, while still being very strong off the bump on the weekend,” commented Musgraves.
LSUS welcomes the addition of Prairie Baseball Academy’s Marc Dainty; a 6’5 right hander who will compete for a starting spot in the Pilots weekend rotation. Paul Marlow, a 6’7 right hander who has the ability to pitch in the 90mph range is also expected to have some success throughout his senior season.
In addition to the new faces to the Pilots staff, Musgraves is very optimistic about the return of four year starter Daniel Welch. Welch is one of two remaining players from the 2003 World Series team, a season in which he collected five wins as a freshman, and pitched in the World Series semi-final match-up against Oklahoma City. Welch fought his way to a 6-2 overall record which included a 5.29 ERA, despite battling arm troubles throughout the
2006 season. The Bossier City native performed very well throughout the fall, and was named the Pilot World Series MVP.
J.V. Laffitte makes his return after a 4-2 freshman campaign in 2006 which included a 3.79 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 57.0 innings pitched.
The Pilots have anxiously awaited the availability of two Puerto Rico natives in Juan Falu and Victor Hernandez. Hernandez was forced to sit out of the
2006 season due to shoulder surgery, while Falu was declared academically ineligible due to a lack of credit hours after transferring to LSUS in the spring of 2006. Both of these hard throwing right-handers will provide some much needed depth and experience to the Pilots staff.
“We had a tough time finding an offensive identity this fall. I credit that to a very deep pitching staff. It is a good problem to have,” commented
Musgraves.
The Pilots graduated a large portion of their offensive output from the 2006 season in 2005 GCAC Player of the Year and LSUS All-Time Hits Leader
Dustin Bissonnette. Bissonnette hit .346 with 41 RBI and 17-stolen bases. LSUS also graduated two-time All-GCAC outfielder Dusty Maddox who led the team with a .366 average which included 13-homeruns, 63-RBI, and 26-stolen bases. Maddox went on to play professional baseball in the Atlantic
League for the Atlantic City Surf upon the conclusion of the 2006. The presence of 2nd-Team All-GCAC member Riley Cook will also be missed. In 2006 he hit .331 with three homeruns. Cook also collected 26-stolen bases in 30-attempts, and played professionally with the Evansville Otters of the Frontier
League this past summer.
The Pilots however look for the emergence of 3rd-year shortstop Brandon Magierowski, and 4th-year senior and 2004 1st-Team All-GCAC center fielder
Chris Frye to pick up the slack offensively. Magierowski hit .354 in 2005 while Frye finished with a .349 average. Also returning is right fielder Colin Moro who in 2006 belted a .363 average which included 39-RBI and three homeruns.
Bryan Cooksey returns for his senior season as a strong candidate to become the 2007 GCAC All-Conference third baseman after posting a .331 average in 2006.
“We may no longer have a Bissonnette or a Maddox who post All-American type numbers each season, but we are stronger one through nine than in the past. We’ll have to have a more creative approach to scoring runs.”
Also returning to the Pilots lineup is first baseman Stephan Primeaux. The right handed slugger belted six homeruns in 2006 and finished with a .288 batting average. Brent Lavalee also figures to be part of the Pilots offensive production coming off a .282 season with four homeruns last year.
At No. 13 in the NAIA, the Pilots realize they have gained the respect of many perennial powers that are constantly in the Top 25. However, Coach
Musgraves believes that the NAIA voting process does not necessarily give a true representation of who the Top 25 teams in the country truly are.
“We have worked very hard and it is neat to see us among the Top 25. I just don’t believe the ratings are a true testament as to who the best teams in the country truly are. Three of the top 10 teams may be in the same region, but they will be spread out amongst the Top 25 because teams who are voted No. 1 in a different region will be ranked ahead them,” concluded Musgraves.
The Pilots 2007 schedule is highlighted with numerous Top 25 opponents. LSUS will open the season on the road with three games against No. 6
Lubbock Christian University and then return home for a three game set against No. 29 Lindenwood University (MO). The Pilots will also square off against NAIA power Oklahoma City University and the No. 18 Houston Baptist University. Also on the horizon for the Pilots is NCAA Division I University of Louisiana Monroe, and NCAA Division II opponents Southern Arkansas University, and Henderson State University.
“This year we will see first hand just where we stand among the top teams in the country. To be the best you have to beat the best, and this year we will have that opportunity. Our non-conference schedule is as tough as it gets, and playing in the GCAC is a war every single weekend; there is no such thing as a guaranteed win. From top to bottom, I expect the GCAC to be more competitive than it has ever been,” concluded Musgraves.
2007 National Ratings
NAIA Baseball Preseason National Rating
November 15, 2006
Rank 2006 Final Institution (Region) 1st Place Votes Total Points 1 1 Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) (I) 17 472 2 5 Cumberland (Tenn.) (XI) 1 444 3 2 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) (XIV) 1 419 4 8 Oklahoma City (VI) 406 5 3 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) (XIII) 360 5 4 British Columbia (I) 346 7 6 Lubbock Christian (Texas) (VI) 343 8 12 California Baptist (II) 340 9 13 Bellevue (Neb.) (IV) 317 10 9 Culver-Stockton (Mo.) (V) 273 11 7 Concordia (Calif.) (II) 261 12 11 Warner Southern (Fla.) (XIV) 261 13 17 Louisiana State-Shreveport (XIII) 227 14 15 Tennessee Wesleyan (XII) 209 15 NR Cumberlands (Ky.) (XI) 143 16 20 Benedictine (Kan.) (V) 140 17 18 Jamestown (N.D.) (III) 137 18 16 Houston Baptist (Texas) (VI) 126 19 21 Lee (Tenn.) (XIII) 109 20 NR Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.) (II) 97 21 NR Ohio Dominican (IX) 85 22 NR Bethany (Kan.) (IV) 80 23 10 Biola (Calif.) (II) 74 24 19 Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) (XI) 74 25 22 Madonna (Mich.) (VIII) 70 Others Receiving Votes: Union (Ky.) (XII), 67; St. Xavier (Ill.) (VII), 38; Oklahoma Baptist (VI), 37; Lindenwood (Mo.) (V), 29; St. Thomas (Fla.) (XIV), 28; Seton Hill (Pa.) (IX), 20; Fisher (Mass.) (I), 18; Malone (Ohio) (IX), 17; Albertson (Idaho) (I), 14; Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) (III), 13; St. Mary (Kan.), 11; William Penn (Iowa) (VII), 11; Park (Mo.) (IV), 10; York (Neb) (IV), 10; Belhaven (Miss.) (XIII), 8; Spalding (Ky.) (XII), 7; Dickinson State (N.D.) (III), 5; McKendree (Ill.) (V), 5; St. Francis (Ill.) (VII), 5; Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) (IX), 4; Savannah Art and Design (Ga.) (XIV), 4; Urbana (Ohio) (IX), 3; Campbellsville (Ky.) (XI), 1; Webber International (XIV), 1.
Coach Musgraves announces recruiting class for 2006-07
AUGUST 09, 2006
LSUS Pilot Baseball continued its fight to remain at the top of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference with the signing of four transfers and seven incoming freshman.
Head Coach Rocke Musgraves believes this class will bolster a group of solid returners. “We’ve addressed pitching-depth question marks with some experienced transfer pitchers, and started the process of building for the future with a group of talented freshman position players. In 2007 we’ll graduate 13 players – this will give us a year to work with the younger players to get them ready to step in next year, or in some cases, maybe this year.”
Transfer players include LHP Cory Keener (Northwestern State U), RHP Paul Marlow (Muscateen CC, Iowa), RHP Mark Dainty (Prairie Baseball Academy, Canada), and IF Bryan Stebbings (Hill CC, Texas).
“We are very excited about Cory transferring into our program,” said Musgraves. “I remember in 2003 Cory leaving a game at LSU with a lead after striking out 10 in seven innings against the Tigers.”
Marlow is a 6-foot 8-inch right-hander that was taken in the Major League Baseball draft out of high school. “With some polish this kid could make some big noise in NAIA Baseball,” says Musgraves. “I think his 88-92 mph fastball and size will attract professional scouts.”
Dainty, a 6-4 junior was heavily recruited by several top programs, including NAIA National Champion Lewis and Clark State; Mark pitched at Prairie Baseball Academy in Alberta, Canada for Head Coach Blair Kubecek. While pitching out of the number one slot Dainty set several pitching records for the Canadian program. “Another hard throwing right hander, Mark’s fastball is 88-91mph, but his strength is his ability to compete and pitch to both sides of the plate with three pitches,” says Musgraves.
“Stebbings is a sorely needed left-handed bat that could produce some strong power numbers. No one has ever questioned this kid’s ability to hit, especially after this season at Hill, where he hit in the middle of the line-up for the strong Texas Juco.”
Incoming freshmen include IF Andrew Blubaugh (Edmond, Oklahoma), LHP-OF Justin Ennis (Big Sandy, Texas), IF Chase Jennings (Evangel HS, Shreveport, La), OF Jack Morrison (Beaumont, Texas), IF Matt Moseley (Springhill, La), C- IF-P Ricky Sanders (Homer, La), and RHP Tommy Durrett (Simsburough, La).
“I think it’s important for people to know that this group of freshman has also performed exceptionally well in the classroom,” says Musgraves. “There’s a couple of valedictorians in there as well as some impressive ACT scores.”
“Blubaugh reminds me of Dustin Bissonette,” says the LSUS coach. Bissonette was a two-time All-Conference player for LSUS and Conference MVP in 2005. “Andrew is a smart player with the potential to be a solid middle infielder and one or two hole hitter down the road.”
Justin Ennis may be the surprise of the 2007 recruiting class. The left-handed throwing, left-handed hitting Ennis slipped under the recruiting radar while playing in a small town in East Texas. “Justin already possesses a 84-86mph fastball and has shown a pitching savvy that you don’t see from young men his age,” says Musgraves. “This summer for our wood bat team he showed an ability to set up hitters. Justin also may have the best natural power of all out hitters; however, he’s a bit farther away as a hitter than he is as a pitcher.” This season Ennis posted an 11-1 record for Big Sandy with a 0.89 ERA, striking out 113 hitters in 70 innings and walking only 13, earning him 1st Team All-Texas honors. At the plate the lefty hit .553 with a 1.000 slugging percentage.
Jennings earned 1st-Team All-City Honors while helping Shreveport’s Evangel Christian Academy to a Louisiana State Championship. “Chase is a great Christian kid with the competitive zeal to be a future leader for this program,” says Musgraves. “He’s the type of athlete who excels in big games. In 2005 he was named MVP of the 5A Louisiana State Championship Football Game; and in 2006 he was named MVP of the 1A Louisiana State Championship Baseball Game.”
Moseley comes to LSUS from a strong baseball background. Matt’s father, Bill, was a long-time successful baseball coach for Springhill High School. “Anytime you sign a coach’s kid, you know you’re getting a player that appreciates the finer points of the game. Matt is tough-nosed kid that we’re very excited about. He reminds me of Wesley Gray (2003) whose father was Coach Bob Gray of Lakeside High School. And that’s a pretty big complement,” says the Pilot Coach.
Incoming freshman Jack Morrison reminds Coach Musgraves of current outfielder Colin Moro. “Jack appears to be a kid that can flat out hit. We invited him to a tryout and liked how he drove the ball gap-to-gap. He has a great group of senior outfielders to learn from.” “Sanders is a kid that may be ready to play quicker than any of the freshman position players,” says Musgraves. “He played for our college team this summer and didn’t seem to be phased by the increased level of competition. Right now his physical ability is carrying him; I think as he learns the game there will be no limit to what this kid can accomplish.”
Durrett will spend the fall learning how to pitch under pitching coach Andy Heckman. Musgraves adds, “Tommy was recommended to us by a friend of the program so we brought him in for a tryout – his arm worked well but he said he didn’t pitch. We called him back and brought him in for another tryout to pitch. It’s a bit rough right now, but once he figures it out he should be a quality arm for our program.”
Lionel Roberts of New Orleans also signed with the Pilots. Roberts played in the Detroit Tiger organization for a year and won’t be eligible to play until the fall of 2007. The 6-4, 280 lb first baseman will be an impact player for the Pilots 2008 season.
Former Pilots excelling in Professional Baseball
AUGUST 08, 2006
LSUS Baseball continues to churn out prospects for Professional Baseball teams. Riley Cook (2005-06) recently signed with the Evansville Otters of the Frontier League. Cook wasted no time settling in by throwing out an opposing runner out at home plate in his first defensive opportunity and getting a hit in his first professional at-bat. Currently Cook his batting .417 through six games.
Derek Cunningham (2005) is playing in his second season with the Shreveport Sports of the American Association. Cunningham continues to eat up innings for the Sports with 35 stikeouts in 38 innings, while carrying a 3.55 ERA and holding opponents to a stingy .229 batting average.
Former LSUS, two-time All-Region outfielder, Dusty Maddox (2005-06), sizzled out of the gates for the Atlantic City Surf of the Atlantic League, before being placed on the disabled list with a wrist injury. Maddox upped his stock in the league by hitting successfully against several pitchers with Major League Baseball experience on their resume.
Tyson Arishenkoff (2001-03) continues to bat in the middle of the line-up for the Amsterdam Pirates of Dutch Major League Baseball. The slick fielding shortstop was 4th in the league in hitting at .352 and near the top of the league in several offensive categories.
Left-handed pitcher, Eric Domangue, (2002) is finding success with New York Met affiliate, Hagerstown, with a 2.45 ERA in 18 innings of work.
LSUS falls to AUM 6-1 in Region XIII Championship
MAY 15, 2006
Montgomery, Ala.—The last time AUM won the NAIA Regional Championship was in 1992, that was also the last time AUM has been to the NAIA College World Series. There is a chance for that to happen again, although 14 years later, as AUM defeated LSU-Shreveport 6-1 to win the NAIA Region XIII Championship.
Just two days after picking up a loss against Lee University in the second game of the tournament for AUM, Jarod Cook pitched 5.2 innings allowing eight hits and one run in leading AUM to the win. He kept the LSUS hitters off stride most of the game as he had several pop fly outs.
Timmy Morgan came in to relieve Cook in the sixth inning with the bases loaded and two outs. He enticed pinch hitter Marcus Calhoun into a routine ground ball force out at third base to end the threat. He then went and finished the game only allowing two hits in the final 3.1 innings of the game.
The Senators out hit LSUS 15-10, with Junior Kelly, Britt Clayton and Michael Herndon all having three hits. Cortez Pearson also kept up his torrid pace at the plate collecting two hits in four at bats. Yesterday Pearson had eight hits in nine at bats during the two AUM wins, so over the past three games, he was 10 for 13 at the plate.
AUM had trouble with LSUS All-Region player Dusty Maddox the whole game. He led LSUS with three hits, including a solo home run in the first inning to give LSUS an early 1-0 lead. It would be there only run and lead of the game.
It was one of those games where both teams were gutting out some plays and AUM was able to muster single runs in the second, third, sixth and seventh innings, and two runs in the fourth to slowly pull away in the game.
With the win, Cook ran his record to 10-3 on the season and Tyler Lewis fell to 2-7. LSUS finishes their season at 42-22, while the Senators moved to 46-16. AUM will travel to Daytona Beach next week for their next adventure hopefully on their way to the NAIA World Series. They will play at Emory-Riddle in the Super Region which will consist of a best two out of three series. The winner will automatically go to the World Series and the loser must sit and wait to see if they will receive an automatic bid.
-AUM-
LSUS Cruises Past Lee Into Championship
MAY 15, 2006
Montgomery, AL—For the second time in four days, Kevin Jewell pitched a jewel of a game against Lee University as he led LSU-Shreveport to an 8-5 win and a spot in the NAIA Region XIII Championship game. Jewell sent the Flames into the elimination round by defeating them 1-0 in the opening round, and this time his performance helped knock the Flames out of the tournament. He pitched 7.1 innings allowing only seven hits and five runs, with only two earned. He had 10 strikeouts and only walked one batter.
LSUS actually built a 6-2 lead heading into the eighth inning when things began to unwind. Lee loaded the bases with only one out and Travis Simmons hit an easy one hopper back to Jewell on the mound. What should have been an easy double play turned into an adventure as Jewell tossed the ball over catcher Brent Lavalee’s head allowing two runs to score on the play. Bryan Cooksey then knocked in a run with a ground out before LSUS got out of the inning. But they only held a 6-5 lead entering the ninth.
Lavalee took matters into his own hands with a two run blast in the top of the inning to give LSUS their extra cushion and they took out Lee in the bottom of the inning to move into the championship game.
Dusty Maddox and Steffan Primeaux led the 10 hit attack with two hits each. Primeax and Lavalee had two RBI’s in the win, while Jewell picked up his ninth win of the season and Matt Clayman pitched the final 1.2 innings to record his fifth save of the year.
Andrew Shaver gave Lee an early 1-0 lead, as he blasted a solo home run on the second pitch of the game. That would turn out to be his only hit of the game. Aaron Simmons led the Flames going three for four at the plate and scoring two runs.
Lee’s season ends at 42-18 while LSUS moves into the championship game against Auburn University Montgomery with a 42-21 record.
-AUM-
Pilots rally late but fall 6-4 to Senators
MAY 12, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots came within inches in the 7th and 9th innings of erasing an early 6-0 deficit after Dusty Maddox and Tyler Williams threatened with the long ball, however, the Auburn University-Montgomery Senators held on to a 6-4 win over the Pilots.
The Senators Cortez Pearson led the AUM offense going 4-4 with three runs scored including a leadoff double off Pilots starter J.V. Laffitte which started a two run 1st inning rally.
Matthew Keel belted a two-run homerun over the left field fence in the bottom of the 2nd stretching the Senators lead to 4- 0, and added two more runs in the bottom of the 4th to take a commanding 6-0 lead.
Pilots senior center fielder sparked the Pilots offense with a towering homerun to left-center field in the 6th to cut the lead to 6-1. With the bases loaded in the 7th, Maddox hit what looked like his second homerun of the night, however, AUM’s center fielder Stephen Partrick made a catch three-quarters of the way up the wall in center, and held the Pilots to just one run in the inning.
The Pilots threatened again in the 9th after a lead off walk to catcher Brent Lavalee was followed by Bryan Cooksey’s second homerun of the season which cut the lead to 6-4. Dustin Bissonnette reached base on a walk bringing the tying run to the plate in Maddox.
Maddox grounded into a fielders choice erasing Bissonnette for the first out of the inning. Tyler Williams stepped to the plate and belted a towering fly ball to right center field that fell just short of tying the ball game for the second out.
AUM reliever slammed the door on the Pilots comeback by striking out Riley Cook to end the ball game and preserved the Senators 6-4 lead.
The loss now puts AUM in the drivers seat of the NAIA Region XIII Tournament as they guaranteed themselves a spot in Saturday’s championship game against the winner of the LSUS against Lee University match-up that is scheduled for 12:00pm.
Pilots one win away from Region XIII finals
MAY 12, 2006
Montgomery, AL – The LSUS Pilots are set to square off against number one seed Auburn University – Montgomery at 7 PM. AUM played their way into tonight’s game by eliminating Belhaven College 7-5 this afternoon.
Listen to the action live with Mark Cantrell at www.lsus.edu/baseball/.
Pilots take 1-0 thriller against Flames
MAY 11, 2006
Montgomery, AL---The LSUS Pilots avenged an 8-5 loss at the hands of the Lee University Flames in the 2005 Region XIII Championship game, with a 1-0 opening round win over the Flames Thursday morning.
The much anticipated contest between the Flames and Pilots was everything it was expected to be; and then some. Both teams sent their ace to the mounds; Kevin Jewell for the Pilots; and Jon Kirby for the Flames.
Dustin Bissonnette led off the bottom of the first with a double down the left field line off Kirby. Bissonnette promptly stole third base which allowed him to score on a ground ball to second by Dusty Maddox, which proved to be all the Pilots would need. Kirby allowed just two hits in the contest and mixed in two walks and a hit by pitch while holding the Pilot offense off the board the rest of the way.
Jewell responded by tossing 8.1 scoreless innings which had the Pilots ahead 1-0 heading to the 9th.
After a leadoff walk to Paul Keck, Jewell responded by striking out Chris Camp for the first out of the inning. Keck advanced to second on a stolen base, and then the rain began.
One of the greatest games in LSUS baseball history was interrupted by heavy wind and rain, forcing each team to sleep on the potential possibilities that could happen upon the conclusion of the 9th inning which was started at 9:00am Thursday morning.
The Pilots could not have dreamed of a better ending as the inning began with Matt Clayman, who took the mound on relief of Jewell, picked off Keck at second base for the second out of the inning.
Matt Brooks followed with a single to center, but Clayman closed the door on the Flames by striking out Tony Perez, preserving the Pilots 1-0 lead.
The Pilots will now take on the winner of the Belhaven College Blazers against the Georgia South Western Hurricanes match-up which begins at 10:00am. Game time is scheduled for 4:00pm, and can be heard live with the voice of the Pilots Mark Cantrell at www.lsus.edu/baseball/
LSU-Shreveport Stays Undefeated
MAY 11, 2006
Montgomery, Ala.—Matt Clayman pitched seven strong innings as LSU-Shreveport continues their undefeated run at the NAIA Region XIII Baseball Championship.
Clayman limited Belhaven to six hits and two runs in picking up the win. He was very dominating while he was in the game as he had five strikeouts and only allowed one bases on balls. During the seven innings he pitched, he allowed LSUS to build up a 12-2 lead before leaving.
Belhaven made a game of it, as they pushed across seven runs during the final two innings against the LSUS relievers. Belhaven actually out hit LSUS 15-13, but could never catch up to the Pilots.
Steffan Primeaux and Dusty Maddox each had home runs for LSUS and Primeaux finished the game three-for-four with two RBI’s and three runs scored. Dustin Bissonette had two hits as did Riley Cook, Colin Moro and Brandon Magierowski.
For Belhaven, Buddy Wyrick hit a home run and finished with two hits and four RBI’s. Thomas Royals had three hits in the loss and David Gilbert, Bryan Bennett, Ricky Owens and Wyrick all finished with two hits. Braxton Larkin pitched 6.1 innings allowing eight hits and 10 runs, but only five were earned as Belhaven’s defense did not help out any with four errors allowing seven unearned runs.
Belhaven now drops into the loser’s bracket where they will either play AUM or Lee University in an elimination game. Those two teams were playing the late game on Thursday evening. LSUS moves to 40-21 overall and Belhaven falls to 41-20 with the loss.
-AUM-
Pilots lead Lee 1-0; 9th inning rain delay
MAY 10, 2006
LSUS Pilots starter Kevin Jewell squared off against Lee's Jon Kirby in what was undoubtedly the best pitching match-ups I have ever seen. Dustin Bissonnette doubled to lead off the game, stole third, and scored on a fielders choice for the games only run. Kirby allowed just one more hit through the 8th while striking out three.
Jewell cruised through 8, but walked the leadoff batter in the 9th. Jewell responded by striking out Lee's four hole for the first out. The next pitch was a strike, Lee stole second safely, and a monsoon unladed directly over AUM's field. The two teams went back to their respective hotels, and it has been assumed the game will pick up in the 9th tomorrow once the field conditions will allow.
Region XIII Tournament off to slow start due to weather
MAY 10, 2006
Montgomery, AL---The LSUS Pilots wrere dressed and ready to climb aboard the bus for Wednesday's Round 1 match-up against the Lee University Flames at the Region XIII Tournament, but were forced to return to the hotel due to current weather conditions in Montgomery. The latest word is that the game has been postponed, however, there is a chance that the entire day may be washed out, and that the tournament will begin Thursday at 12:00pm.
Stay tuned to www.lsus.edu/baseball/ for up to date information.
Pilots to finish game @ 7 PM
MAY 10, 2006
The LSUS Pilots have returned to the field and are waiting for the field to be untarped to be ready for the completion of the game. The is scheduled to resume at 7 PM tonight. When the game continues the Pilots will only need to record two outs and keep the tying run from scoring and they will get the victory.
Maddox earns back-to-back 1st-Team All-Region honors
MAY 09, 2006
Shreveport, LA---Dusty Maddox, a 6’2 senior from Bossier City, LA led the LSUS Pilots to a 2005 Region XIII Championship Game while earning 1st-Team All-Region honors along the way after belting 11 homeruns and a team high 65 RBI. In 2006, Maddox has collected 10 homeruns and 55 RBI, and has his Pilots back in the Region XIII title hunt, and has claimed 1st-Team All-Region honors for the second consecutive season.
Though the fleet footed center fielder has compiled a two year career at LSUS that no other can compare to statistically, the Bossier Parish Community College transfer has his hopes set on awards that mean much more than his own.
“Stats show numbers and percentages, but championships are what every player wants. Last year we fell short of our goal after losing to Lee University in the Region XIII finals which has been on our minds all season long. Now we get a shot at redemption in the first round which has been our goal all season,” commented Maddox.
Maddox’s offensive production sparked a four game win streak resulting in the Pilots first Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament Championship, however he believes it has been the teams ability to come together and combine all aspects of the game together that has made what he believes is a Region XIII Tournament contender.
“Our pitching has done an outstanding job of attacking hitters which keeps our defense on its toes, and our lineup has learned to trust in each other and we all know that one person cannot win a ball game; it has to be a combined effort. If we continue to do the little things right like we have throughout the past three weeks, we are going to be a tough team to beat,” concluded Maddox.
Thirteen of the 17 All-Region players came from the Southern States Athletic Conference, while Maddox was one of four players selected from the GCAC. Thomas Royals (Belhaven College) was selected as an infielder, Maddox and Greg Alexander (William Carey College) were selected as outfielders, while Brad Fultz (Belhaven College) grabbed one of the four pitcher’s slots.
LSUS will square off against Lee University in Round 1 action Wednesday at 12:00pm. All the action can be heard live with Mark Cantrell at www.lsus.edu/baseball/
Region XIII Tournament begins with 2005 Championship Game rematch: LSUS vs Lee University
MAY 08, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The Auburn University-Montgomery campus will play host to the 2006 NAIA Region XIII Baseball Tournament which will begin Wednesday, May 10th, and will conclude Saturday, May, 14th. The six team double elimination tournament bracket has been announced, and is highlighted by a Round 1 match-up between the No. 4 seeded LSUS Pilots (38-21) and the No. 3 seeded Lee University Flames (40-16). The host team, Auburn University- Montgomery (42-15) earned the No. 1 seed after capturing the Southern States Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship, and they will take on Berry College (33-24) who is coming in as the No. 6 seed after capturing the SSAC Conference Tournament Title. The Belhaven College Blazers (40-19) slipped into the No. 2 spot after claiming the 2006 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship, and they will match-up against the No.5 seed, Georgia Southwestern University (30-23).
Almost exactly one year ago, the LU Flames put an end to the Pilots 2005 season with an 8-5 victory in the 2005 NAIA Region XIII Tournament Championship. The Flames and Pilots represent arguably the two hottest teams in the 2006 version of the NAIA Region XIII Tournament, but only one team will advance to the second round in the winners bracket after Wednesday’s match-up that will begin at 12:00pm.
The matinee match-up features the GCAC Regular Season Champion BC Blazers. The Blazers were defeated for the 5th time in seven contests this season by the Pilots in the GCAC Tournament Championship, 7-2, but will look to rebound with a win against the tournament’s only at-large birth team, GSU Hurricanes. First pitch is slated for 3:30pm.
Stay tuned for up-to-date scores, results, and live broadcasts at:
http://www.lsus.edu/baseball/
Pilots cruise to first GCAC Tournament Championship
MAY 06, 2006
The LSUS Pilots played host to the 2006 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament and used their home field advantage to claim their first GCAC Tournament Championship. The Pilots never trailed in the tournament and advanced to Saturday’s championship game by defeating the William Carey College Crusaders 11-2 Friday night. LSUS knocked off the No. 1 seeded Belhaven College Blazers 7-2 in the finals, and won the season series five games to two. The Pilots were 4-0 in the tourney and outscored their opponents 37-10 on the week.
Pilots senior Tyler Lewis toed the rubber for the Pilots and threw the biggest game of his four year career. Lewis scattered five hits and walked just one en route to a complete game 7-2 victory. The 6’2 right hander from Haynesville, LA held the Blazers scoreless through 7.0 innings, but a two out double by David Gilbert scored Forrest Rollins who doubled to right- center field to lead off the inning which cut the Pilots lead to 5-1. BC Rollins scored after a defensive miscue by Pilot infielder Bryan Cooksey who misplayed a Thomas Royals ground ball for the Blazers second run.
The Pilots opened the scoring in the top of the 4th after Tyler Williams led off the inning with a bunt base hit and promptly stole second. Williams advance to third on a Steffan Primeaux ground out, and scored on a Riley Cook sacrifice fly giving the Pilots a 1-0 lead.
Brent Lavalee led off the top of the 5th with a solo blast to left field of Blazers starter Robert Young to give the Pilots a 2-0 lead. Young responded with two quick outs but walked Dusty Maddox with two outs. Williams followed with a single to center field to advance Maddox to third but a bubble by Shawn Anderson opened the door for Maddox to keep heading for home and he scored just ahead of the relay throw. Williams advanced to third on the play and scored on an RBI single by Riley Cook making the score 4-0.
Back-to-back doubles by Lavalle and Cooksey in the 6th accounted for the Pilots 5th run, and a two RBI single by Primeaux in the top of the 9th stretched the Pilots lead to 7-2 which proved to be the final score as Lewis tossed a scoreless 9th which ended in an inning ending 6-4-3 double play, and putting the lock on the Pilots GCAC Tournament Championship.
Williams led the Pilots offense going 4-5 with three runs scored and two stolen bases while Lavalee finished 2-3 including a solo homerun in the 5th.
With the win the Pilots improve to 38-21 on the year and guaranteed themselves a spot in next week’s Region XIII Tournament which will be held in Montgomery, AL. The six team double elimination tournament will begin Wednesday. Game times and schedules will be announced Monday, May 8th.
Pilots reach GCAC title game (5/6/2006)
MAY 06, 2006
By Scott Ferrell [email protected]
For the second time in as many days, the LSUS Pilots defeated the William Carey Crusaders in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament.
And, for the second time in as many days, Dusty Maddox had a big hit to key an offensive uprising for the Pilots.
Maddox's two-run single keyed an eight-run seventh inning as the Pilots advanced to the championship game with a 14-6 victory Friday night at Pilots Field.
Maddox finished with three RBIs while teammates Riley Cook and Dustin Bissonnette each had three hits as the Pilots pounded out 12 hits.
LSUS will play Belhaven College at 1 p.m. today in the championship game. The Blazers must defeat the PIiots twice to claim the title.
"Obviously our offense came through tonight, but I am going to keep preaching about our pitching and defense," LSUS coach Rocke Musgraves said. "If you can hold a team like William Carey to eight runs over two days, that's excellent. I think the main thing has been our pitchers' ability to throw two or three pitches for strikes. Our pitching has been excellent."
Belhaven advanced to the championship by rallying to defeat Mobile 8-6 earlier Friday.
The Pilots' second big inning in as many days came at a key time as the Crusaders had cut the LSUS lead from 6-0 to 6-5 with a three-run seventh inning.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Pilots answered back with their offensive barrage.
Seven of LSUS' runs came before the Crusaders recorded an out, helping make a winner of right-hander J.V. Lafitte, who allowed five runs (three earned) in 6 2-3 innings.
GCAC Tournament Day 2 summary
MAY 05, 2006
Shreveport, LA---Day 2 at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament said goodbye to three outstanding Loyola Wolfpack seniors, Trey Fury, David Lauricella, and Bryan McCaulley, as the Belhaven College Blazers eliminated the Wolfpack with a 13-6 victory.
The matinee match-up saw the University of Mobile Rams stave off elimination with a 15-5 victory of the Spring Hill College Badgers. The Rams were led by a complete game pitching performance by Jason Ragan, and a 4-5 effort at the plate by senior first baseman Lance Howard.
The night cap between the LSUS Pilots and the William Carey College Crusaders proved to be an exciting conclusion to an already action packed day. The Pilots pushed across nine runs in the top of the 1st inning which was highlighted by a Dusty Maddox grand slam. The two teams exchanged words and bean balls throughout the contest resulting in nine ejections before the Pilots took an 11-2 victory.
Friday’s contests will feature the Crusaders and the Badgers squaring off in elimination match beginning at 12:00pm, with the winner advancing to take on the Pilots at 7:00pm.
The 3:30 game will feature the Blazers taking on the Rams in the second elimination game of the day.
Catch all the action live at www.gcactournament.com (http://www.gcactournament.com/).
LSUS moves step closer to GCAC championship
MAY 05, 2006
May 5, 2006 By Brian Vernellis [email protected]
LSUS moved into the championship bracket of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference tournament with a commanding 11-2 win over William Carey College at LSUS on Thursday.
The Pilots needed a few innings to get its offense on track in the opening game of the GCAC tournament Wednesday, but they pounced on the Crusaders from the first at-bat. LSUS moves another step closer to the tournament championship and will play the winner of the Spring Hill-William Carey game at 7 tonight.
"We're playing pretty well," LSUS head coach Rocke Musgraves said. "We're beginning to peak at the right time, so there's no reason to think we can't continue this.
"Our defense has been phenomenal lately and (pitch coach Andy Heckman) and the pitching staff deserve a lot of the credit."
Dusty Maddox's grand-slam home run capped a nine-run first inning. Maddox's homer was only the second hit of the inning as the Pilots sent 13 batters to the plate and benefited off Crusaders' starter Dustin Cook's shaky start.
Cook lasted 2-3 of an inning, gave up four earned runs and plunked two Pilots before reliever Alec Alcoin replaced him. Alcoin didn't fare any better, unable to retire a Pilot hitter.
Reliever Scott Mitchell subbed for Alcoin and surrendered Maddox's home run, the first hitter he faced.
The hit batsmen set an uneasy tone that reached a peak in the fifth inning.
In the fifth, both benches emptied when LSUS pitcher Matt Clayman hit third baseman Steven Johnson in the helmet. Johnson was the second Crusader Clayman hit in the helmet. He also plunked catcher Martin Roark in the fourth.
Umpires quickly sent the teams back to their dugouts before the incident escalated to trouble, but the incident was not without casualties.
Clayman was ejected from the game, along with Musgraves who received an automatic ejection.
Seven members of William Carey were tossed -- three coaches and four players.
GCAC Tournament Day 1 wrap-up
MAY 04, 2006
Shreveport, LA---Day 1 at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament provided a little bit of everything; outstanding defensive plays, great pitching, competitive contests, and the long ball, courtesy of the William Carey College Crusaders.
Game one featured a see-saw battle between the No. 1 seeded Belhaven College Blazers and the No. 6 seed Spring Hill College Badgers. GCAC pitcher of the year Brad Fultz surrendered 10 runs, however, some defensive miscues by the Blazer defense led to six runs being unearned. GCAC Player of the Year Thomas Royals belted four hits including two doubles, four runs scored, and two RBI in the loss.
Jeremy Koen put forth a solid start and also added two hits and an RBI while teammate Josh Coleman collected three hits including two RBI doubles as the Badgers went on to upset the Blazers, 11-8.
The Crusaders proved they were a force to be reckoned with in the GCAC Tournament as they disposed of the UM Rams by a final score of 10-0 in seven innings. Gregg Alexander, Michael Orso, Elliot Burch, and Martin Roark all went deep for the Crusaders who belted out 12 hits in the contest. Josh Johnson tossed a complete game shutout allowing just four hits while striking out six.
Look for the Rams to respond with a bang Thursday in their contest against cross town rival SHC which is scheduled for 3:30pm. GCAC 2nd-Team All-Conference selection Jason Ragan is the probable starter for the Rams which sets up a highly anticipated contest between the two teams.
The night cap proved to be the game of the day as LSUS and LU went down to the wire trying to put together any kind of offense they could find against two outstanding starting pitching performances by LSUS’ Kevin Jewell, and LU’s Sal Greco.
Greco held the Pilots scoreless through 5.0 innings before falling victim to a throwing error of his own, allowing the Pilots to score twice in the 6th inning to take a 2-0 lead.
Brandon Magierowski delivered a bases loaded two RBI single in the 8th which put the game out of reach as Jewell held the Wolfpack offense to just two hits through 9.0 innings.
The Wolfpack will have to respond in a big way as they face elimination Thursday against the No. 1 seeded Blazers at 12:00pm.
LSUS advances to the winners bracket where they will meet the WCC Crusaders. The two teams each swept the regular season three game series at their respective home ball parks. Game time is scheduled for 7:00pm.
Catch all the updated scores and play-by-play with the voice of the Pilots, Mark Cantrell at www.gcactournament.com.
Jewell tosses complete game gem; Pilots beat Wolfpack 5-0
MAY 03, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The night cap of day one at the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament featured the No. 2 seeded LSUS Pilots taking on the No. 5 seed Loyola University Wolfpack. LSUS starter Kevin Jewell scattered just two hits and five walks leading the Pilots to a 5-0 victory with a complete game shutout. In contrast to games one and two of the GCAC Tournament, the Pilots and Wolfpack squared off in a pitchers duel. Sal Greco toed the rubber for the Wolfpack and held the Pilots scoreless through five innings. A leadoff walk to Dusty Maddox in the bottom of the 6th inning was followed by a base hit bunt by Tyler Williams that was fielded by Greco who tried to force a throw to first base that found its way down the right field line allowing Maddox to score from first with Williams advancing to third. Steffan Primeaux followed with a sacrifice fly to right field which scored Williams giving the Pilots a 2-0 lead.
Williams started an 8th inning rally with a one out single to center field. Primeaux followed with an RBI double to left field which spelled the end for Greco. James Blakeman came on in relief and followed with walks to Riley Cook and Colin Moro which loaded the bases for Pilots shortstop Brandon Magierowski.
Magierowski delivered a two RBI single to left field scoring Cook and Moro which stretched the Pilot lead to 5-0. Blakeman managed to escape the one out jam with runners on second and third with just one out by enticing an infield pop out to Pilot catcher Brent Lavalee, and striking out Bryan Cooksey looking to end the inning.
The Wolfpack threatened in the 9th after Jewell walked Kevin Fontenot and Marc Jaynes, but the crafty left hander preserved the shutout by getting designated hitter Coleman Hardie to fly out to Dustin Bissonnette to end the ball game giving the Pilots a 5-0 victory.
Greco (3-1) was tagged with loss after completing 7.1 innings pitched while allowing just six hits, four runs (two earned), while walking two and collecting two strikeouts. Andy Rodriguez and Hardie each collected singles accounting for the Wolfpack's two hits in the contest.
Jewell (7-2) scattered two hits and five walks in 9.0 innings pitched just one night after being named to the 2006 GCAC All-Conference Team. Williams led the Pilot offense with a 3-4 performance which included two runs scored and an RBI. Primeaux finished 1-3 with two RBI while Magierowski was 1-4 with two RBI.
The Wolfpack will look to respond with a win tomorrow against the Belhaven College Blazers in an elimination contest beginning at 12:00pm.
LSUS advances in the winner's bracket and will take on conference rival William Carey College in the night cap which will begin at 7:00pm.
All the live action can be heard live at http://www.gcactournament.com/.
Badgers upset No. 1 seeded Blazers, 11-8
MAY 03, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The Belhaven College Blazers and Spring Hill College Badgers squared off in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament opening contest at Pilots Field Wednesday afternoon. The two teams combined for 19 runs and 28 hits, but it was the Badgers who came out on top and upset the Blazers by a final score of 11-8.
GCAC Pitcher of the Year Brad Fultz toed the rubber for the Blazers and escaped an early second inning Badgers rally. Jeremy Koen singled to center for the Badgers first hit, and promptly advanced to second on a bunt base hit by Matt Parker. With runners at first and second, Badgers shortstop Drew Simms bunted a ball straight back to Fultz who threw to third for the force out. Fultz followed with a ground ball off the bat of Bill Saliski resulting in a 6-4-3 double play, ending the Badgers rally.
The Blazers scored the first run of the tournament in the bottom of the 3rd inning after back-to-back doubles by Thomas Royals and Bryan Bennett with one out off Badgers starter Koen. Koen managed to retire Buddy Wyrick and Scott Anderson to end the inning.
The Badgers capitalized on two Blazer errors in the top of the 4th including a bases loaded wild throw by shortstop David Gilbert allowing Parker and Sims to score. Billy Saliski followed with a two RBI single to left field to stretch the Badgers lead to 4-1.
SHC added two more runs in the 5th and led 6-1 before the Blazers mounted a three run rally that was highlighted by an RBI triple by David Gilbert which cut the lead to 6-4.
With two out in the top of the 6th inning, the Badgers chased BC’s Fultz from the mound who allowed four runs (two earned) on just two hits. Josh Coleman delivered the crushing blow with a two RBI double to left field putting the Badgers ahead 10-4.
BC managed to push across three runs of their own in the bottom of the 6th after Forrest Rollins led of the inning with a triple to center field, and later scored on an RBI single by Gilbert. Royals followed with his third hit of the game in the form of an RBI double, and scored on an error by SHC’s third baseman Matt Rozelle which cut the lead to 10-7.
Badgers reliever Tommy Giesaking took over in the 7th in relief of Koen and held the Blazers offense at bay, allowing just one run on two hits through the final three frames, as the Badgers went on to upset the No. 1 seeded Blazers by a final score of 11-8.
Fultz (8-3) allowed 10 runs (four earned) on 12 hits through 5.2 innings of work. Royals led the Blazers with a 4-5 performance at the plate which included two doubles, and four runs scored. Bryan Bennett added three hits while Gilbert finished 2-5 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Koen was credited with the win after completing 6.0 innings pitched allowing seven runs (four earned) and striking out four. He also added a 2-3 performance at the plate which included an RBI. Coleman finished 3-5 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored, while Sims added a 3-4 effort which included three RBI, two runs scored, and a solo-homerun in the top of the 9th inning.
The Badgers will square off Thursday against the loser of the LSUS against Loyola University match-up, while the Blazers fall to the loser’s bracket and await the loser of the University of Mobile and William Carey College. Game times have yet to be announced, but can be found at www.gcactournament.com (http://www.gcactournament.com/) later this afternoon.
All Conference Games to be Broadcast
MAY 03, 2006
You can catch the play-by-play broadcast of all the conferences tournament games @ www.gcactournament.com (http://www.gcactournament.com).
Join Mark Cantrell and Chris Porche as they call the play-by-play live from Pilot Field in Shreveport, LA.
Let the games begin: GCAC Tournament begins with BC vs SHC
MAY 02, 2006
Shreveport, La. - The No. 1 seeded Belhaven College Blazers will look to defend their regular season championship crown against the No. 6 seed Spring Hill College Badgers Wednesday afternoon at Pilot Field in the 2006 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament opening game.
The Blazers enter the contest with a 39-16 overall record, but were 3-3 in the regular season series against the 16-30 Badgers. The potent Blazers lineup includes the GCAC player of the Year in Thomas Royals, and Pitcher of the Year Brad Fultz. BC also had third baseman Ricky Owens, designated hitter Buddy Wyrick, and relief pitcher Larkin Braxton named to the 2006 GCAC All-Conference squad.
The Badgers are led by senior pitcher Josh Coleman and GCAC All-Conference catcher Jeremy Koen. The two teams will square off in the opening game of the GCAC Tournament at 12:00pm at Pilots Field.
Game two of the tournament features the No. 3 seeded University of Mobile Rams against the No. 4 seed, William Carey College Crusaders, and is scheduled for a 3:30pm start.
The Crusaders enter the tournament with a 30-21 overall record, but have been the hottest team in the GCAC, winning 12 of their last 3 contests.
The Rams, who finished in a tie for second place with the LSUS Pilots at 17-13 in the GCAC are coming off a two games to one series victory over the No. 2 seeded Pilots. The Rams starting rotation which includes GCAC All-Conference Pitcher Keegan Laycock, and 2nd-Team All-Conference pitcher Jason Ragan make the Rams a top contender for the GCAC Tournament title.
The night cap will feature the home team, LSUS Pilots, taking on the Loyola University Wolfpack at 7:30pm. The Pilots are led by All-Conference selections Dusty Maddox, Dustin Bissonnette, and Kevin Jewell, and need to combine solid pitching with a highly talented offensive attack to knock off the Wolfpack.
LU took two of three games from the Pilots on their home turf two three weeks ago to split the season series at three games apiece. The Wolfpack are led by All-Conference selection David Lauricella and Bryan McCaulley.
GCAC kicks off 2006 tournament with All-Conference Banquet
MAY 02, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference kicked off the 2006 GCAC Tournament with the All-Conference Banquet which was hosted at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. The night was highlighted by the presentation of the GCAC Regular Season Championship Trophy to the Belhaven College Blazers; the announcement of the 1st and 2nd All-GCAC Conference Teams; and most importantly, the recognition of the 2006 GCAC senior class.
“You saw some special things happen in that banquet hall tonight,” said LSUS Athletic Director Doug Robinson. “It is so rewarding to see young men who are in competition with one another sit back, shake hands, and reflect on the past seasons events. You saw the mutual respect each team had for one another by the look in their eyes when the All- Conference teams and the seniors were recognized in front of their peers.”
Tuesday’s banquet focused on theme that while individual awards and accolades are very special, it is the relationships with teammates, coaches, and even opponents that make athletics so special.
“Tonight was not just about awards and championships; it was about reflecting on the efforts that these young athletes put forth everyday of their lives trying to become a champion, and realizing that college athletics does not go on for ever, but the relationships they build along the way do,” commented master of ceremonies Chad McDowell.
LSUS Pilots Head Coach Rocke Musgraves was very proud to have the privilege to announce the 2006 GCAC All- Conference teams. “What a great night and honor to be able to shake the hands of not just my own players, but the other players throughout the conference who have had such great seasons, and who deserved to be recognized in front of their peers. I think that tonight was very special and years down the road, win or lose, everyone here this week will take home memories that last a lifetime,” concluded Musgraves.
The GCAC 2006 All-Conference selections were selected from Belhaven College, Louisiana State University in Shreveport, Loyola University, Spring Hill College, University of Mobile, and William Carey College:
1st-Team 2nd-Team
OUTFIELD
Greg Alexander (WCC) Sam Stewart (SHC)
Dusty Maddox (LSUS) Shawn Anderson BC
Bryan McCaulley (LU) Colin Moro (LSUS)
Michael Orso (WCC) Carlos Romero(UM)
INFIELD
Ricky Owens (BC) Brian Mason (LU)
Eddie Davilla (UM) David Gilbert (BC)
Dustin Bissonnette (LSUS) Jared Baria (UM)
David Lauricella (LU) Eliot Burch (WCC)
Thomas Royals (BC) Marc Jaynes (UM)
CATCHER
Jeremy Koen (SHC) Brent Lavalee LSUS
Martin Roark (WCC)
DESIGNATED HITTER
Buddy Wyrick (BC) Riley Cook (LSUS)
PITCHER
Kevin Jewell (LSUS) Josh Johnson (WCC)
Keegan Laycock (UM) Jason Ragan (UM)
Brad Fultz (BC)
RELIEVER: Larkin Braxton (BC)
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Brad Fultz (BC) PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Thomas Royals (BC)
LSUS releases official GCAC Tournament website
MAY 01, 2006
Shreveport, LA---Louisiana State University in Shreveport is proud to announce that they will be the host of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament which will begin Wednesday, May 3rd, with all games being played at Pilot Field. Fans can follow the progress of the tournament through the week at http://www.gcactournament.com/.
The official GCAC Tournament website has been created to allow fans from all over the world to follow the progress of the six team double elimination tournament. Live streaming broadcast links will be available from the site for all games played. If you miss the live action or just want to replay the events, an archived broadcast will also be available.
The tournament bracket, updated stats, and press releases will be available upon the conclusion of each game, which will be highlighted by a photo gallery composed of action shots taken throughout the tournament. Also available is a tribute to the GCAC senior class, and the 2006 GCAC All-Conference Team which will be announced and posted Tuesday night upon the conclusion of the Tournament of Champions Banquet.
For information on directions to LSUS, lodging, tickets, how to become a sponsor of the 2006 GCAC Tournament and more, please visit www.gcactournament.com.
Pilots salvage series with 16-9 win over Rams
APRIL 30, 2006
Mobile, AL---The LSUS Pilots (34-31, 17-13) needed to take one of three games from the University of Mobile Rams (17- 13) in order to clinch the number two seed in the upcoming Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament. After dropping both ends of a double-header Friday 3-1 and 2-1, the Pilots offense responded with 16 runs en route to a 16-9 victory in game three over the Rams.
Dustin Bissonnette and Riley Cook each flirted with completing the cycle Saturday afternoon as they led the Pilot offense with three hit performances. Bissonnette led off the top of the 1st inning with a single to center field, and later scored on a two out bases loaded double to left-field by Cook off Rams starter Simon Badeaux. Brandon Magierowski followed with a two RBI single up the middle, and promptly scored on a double to right field by Pilot catcher Brent Lavallee giving the Pilots an early 5-0 lead.
After a double to left field by Steffan Primeaux to lead off the second, Cook collected an RBI triple to right-center field, and scored one batter later after Magierowski belted his first homerun of the season to left field stretching the Pilot lead to 8-0. UM added two runs of their own in the bottom of the 2nd when Tyler Burns drove a JV Laffitte offering over the fence in left field cutting the lead to 8-2.
A solo-homerun by Cook and a two RBI triple by Bissonnette however sparked a five run top of the 4th which increased the Pilot led to 13-2.
The Rams would add five runs of their own in the bottom of the 5th after Justin Rosen belted a grand slam off Pilot reliever Daniel Welch which cut the lead to 13-7.
Tyler Lewis held the Rams offense to five hits and two runs through the final four frames as the Pilots held on to win by a final score of 16-9. Laffitte improved to 4-1 with the win after completing 4.0 innings and allowing two runs on four hits, four walks, and collecting three strikeouts.
Cook was held hitless in his final two at bats falling just a single short of the cycle, but finished 3-5 with 4 RBI and three runs scored. Bissonnette finished 3-3 with a single, a double, a triple, two walks, three runs and three RBI. Magierowski added a season high 4-5 performance at the plate which included four RBI and four runs scored.
With the win the Pilots assured themselves of a No. 2 seed in the GCAC Tournament, and will play Loyola University Wednesday night at 7:00pm in the first round.
The Rams and the William Carey College Crusaders will kick-off the tournament at 12:00pm Wednesday; while the No. 1 seeded Belhaven College Blazers will take on the Spring Hill College Badgers at 3:30pm.
Cook propels Pilots over Knights
APRIL 26, 2006
Shreveport, LA---Riley Cook delivered a game winning two out RBI single in the bottom of the 7th inning to give the LSUS Pilots (33-19) a 4-3 victory in game one of Wednesday’s double-header over the Northwood University Knights (26-23). In game two, Cook delivered what proved to be a game winning three-run homerun in the bottom of the 1st inning propelling the Pilots to an 8-0 victory and two game sweep over the Knights.
Game one of Wednesday’s double-header entered the bottom of the 7th inning tied at 3-3. Dusty Maddox drove a one out single to center field, and promptly advanced to third base on a Tyler Williams single to left field, placing runners at the corners with one out. The Knights elected to intentionally walk Steffan Primeaux to load the bases which brought the Pilots leading hitter Colin Moro to the plate. Knights relief pitcher Alberto Gutierrez recovered from a 3-0 count and forced a fly ball out to shallow center by Moro for the second out of the inning. Cook however responded with a game winning RBI single to left field off Gutierrez which gave the Pilots a 4-3 victory.
Cook finished 3-4 with an RBI and a run scored to lead the Pilot offense. Josh Wheat (1-2) collected the win in relief of Pilot starter Blake Pinkston after completing 4.0 innings allowing two runs on five hits while striking out four. In game two, Cook belted his first homerun of the season over the left field wall off Knights starter Justin Ashford (7-2) giving the Pilots an early 3-0 lead which the Pilots would never relinquish.
Kris Marks (1-1) threw his first career complete game for the Pilots who went on to take game two by a final score of 8-0. Marks allowed just four hits and one walk while collecting six strikeouts.
Cook led the Pilot offense with three RBI and two runs scored while Maddox pitched in with a 2-2 performance which included a triple, two runs scored, and two stolen bases.
The Pilots will hit the road this upcoming weekend for a three game regular season finale against the University of Mobile Rams as they look to claim their second straight Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular season championship. The Pilots trail the Belhaven College Blazers by one game heading into the final weekend. Game one is slated for 2:00pm, with games two and three scheduled to begin at 1:00pm Saturday.
You can follow all of the action live with the voice of the Pilots Mark Cantrell at www.lsus.edu/baseball.
LSUS to host 2006 GCAC Tournament, May 2-6
APRIL 24, 2006
Shreveport, LA---Pilot fans witnessed the men’s basketball team capture the 2005-2006 GCAC Tournament Championship, and now they will have a chance to see LSUS make yet another run at a GCAC Tournament crown; this time it will be on the baseball field. LSUS has been selected to host the 2006 GCAC Conference Tournament which will begin Wednesday, May 3, and conclude Saturday, May 6, with all games being played at Pilot Field.
The six teams from the GCAC; Belhaven College; LSUS; Loyola University: Spring Hill College; University of Mobile; and William Carey College will travel to Shreveport to battle their way through the double-elimination tournament. The winner will be crowned as GCAC Tournament Champions, and receive an automatic birth to the Region XIII Tournament which will be held in Montgomery, AL May, 10-14.
The match-ups have yet to be determined as three teams remain in contention for the regular season title with three games remaining. BC (17-10) currently holds a one game advantage over the Pilots (16-11), and a two game lead over UM (15-12).
LSUS will host the GCAC Tournament banquet Tuesday, May 2 in the Louisiana Ballroom which will begin at 6:30pm. Player’s and coaches will be presented their tournament packages, which will be followed with the presentation of the 2006 GCAC All-Conference awards.
Further information will be provided at the conclusion of the upcoming weekends games in regards to match-ups and game times. Please visit www.lsus.edu/athletics for up-to-date information, or feel free to contact LSUS Sports Information with any questions.
Pilots take two of three from Blazers and win season series four games to two
APRIL 22, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots (31-19, 16-11) outscored the Belhaven College Blazers (34-16, 17-10) 21-8 in the three game series that concluded with the Pilots taking two of three games to pull within one game of the Blazers in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference standings. The Pilots stranded 10 base runners in game one of Saturdays double header which the Blazers won by a final score of 5-3. However, the Pilots responded in game three with an 8-3 victory taking the weekend series 2-1, and the season series four games to two, which gives the Pilots the upper hand in a tie-breaker situation at the end of the regular season.
In game one, Buddy Wyrick hit a fly ball to left-center field with one out in the top of the fourth that was lost in the sun by Pilots center fielder Dusty Maddox allowing Wyrick to reach third base on a triple. Shawn Anderson followed with a single to center field off Pilot starter Matt Clayman (6-3) to score Wyrick to open the scoring. Clayman was able to get Josh Parks to pop out to third for the second out of the inning, but a hit by pitch and a two RBI double to left-center field by pinch hitter Forrest Rollins stretched the Blazer lead to 3-0. Lead off hitter David Gilbert followed with a bloop single to left field to score Rollins and cap off the Blazers four run 4th.
LSUS answered with a run in the bottom of the 4th after doubles by Steffan Primeaux and Riley Cook to cut the lead to 4- 1.
The two teams traded solo-runs in the 6th, making the score 5-2 before the Pilots mounted a last inning rally. Maddox doubled off the left-center field fence to start the bottom of the 7th which spelled the end for Blazers starter Thomas Royals (7-4) who gave way to Larkin Braxton in relief.
Braxton received a called third strike against Tyler Williams for the first out of the inning before allowing a single to Primeaux which brought the tying run to the plate in Colin Moro. Braxton caught Moro looking at strike three for the second out which brought Cook to the plate. Cook delivered a single to center for his third hit of the ball game which scored Maddox and cut the lead to 5-3. With a 2-2 count, Pilot catcher Brent Lavallee fell victim to a called third strike which ended the Pilot rally, and gave the Blazers a 5-3 win.
Royals allowed 10 hits through 6.0 innings but allowed just three runs before giving way to Braxton who was credited with the save. Bryan Bennett, Wyrick, and Gilbert each collected two hits a piece.
Clayman was tagged with the loss after completing 4.1 innings and allowing five runs on seven hits. Daniel Welch finished the final 2.1 innings and surrendered just one hit while striking out two.
Cook led the Pilots with a 3-4 effort which included a game high three RBI. Primeaux and Moro each added two hits and a run scored in the losing effort. The Pilots responded in game two with three runs in the bottom of the 1st inning off BC starter Matt Lawrence (3-3). Dustin Bissonnette greeted Lawrence with a double to right-center field which was followed by an RBI triple by Maddox to open the scoring. Tyler Williams followed with an RBI single to right, and scored on an RBI single by Moro which capped off the inning.
Pilot starter JV Laffitte (4-1) struggled early but managed to escape a bases loaded jam with a strikeout on Austin Fagan which put the end to the Blazers two run rally. Laffitte was lifted in the 4th by Welch after allowing two runs on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts.
LSUS took advantage of a dropped fly ball by right fielder Josh Parks which allowed Lavallee to reach base and advanced Cook who single earlier to advance to third. Brandon Magierowski delivered a sacrifice fly to center field to score Cook making the score 4-2. Cooksey followed with a single to center which allowed pinch runner Jacob Watkins to reach third. Watkins scored from third on a wild pitch which stretched the Pilots lead to 5-2.
BC brought on reliever Robert Young in the 5th who allowed three runs on just two hits and two BC errors which put game three out of reach as the Pilots went on to win by a final score of 8-3 to take the series.
Ricky Owens led the Blazers offensively with two hits while Gilbert and Wyrick each added a hit and an RBI. Lawrence was credited with the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits in 4.0 innings of work.
The combination of Welch and Tyler Lewis out of the Pilots bullpen scattered just one run on three hits through the last four frames. Cook continued his hot hitting of late with a 2-3 performance which included a run scored and an RBI. Maddox added an RBI triple and two runs scored while teammate Moro was 1-2 with two RBI.
The Pilots now stand alone in second place of the GCAC standings at 16-11, one game behind the Blazers (17-10) heading into the final weekend of the regular season. LSUS will travel to Mobile, AL to take on the University of Mobile Rams, while the Blazers will be up against the Spring Hill College Badgers.
Pilots blank Blazers 10-0 in 7 innings
APRIL 21, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots (30-18, 15-10) played host to the 15th ranked Belhaven College Blazers (33-15, 16-9) Friday night at Pilot Field looking to make some ground in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular season standings. The Pilots did just that with a 10-0 mercy rule win after 7 innings.
Kevin Jewell (6-1) took the mound for the Pilots, squaring off against Blazers right hander Brad Fultz (6-2) under the Friday night lights. Jewell set the tone in the top of the 1st with a perfect inning.
Fultz however did not have the answer as the Pilots belted four hits in their half of the 1st leading to an early 2-0 lead thanks to RBI singles by Dusty Maddox and Colin Moro. Maddox struck again in the bottom of the 3rd with his team leading 9th homerun of the season stretching the Pilot lead to 3-0.
The Blazers created their biggest threat of the game in the top of the 5th loading the bases with no out. Jewell however collected back-to-back strikeouts against Matt Schane and David Gilbert, and forced Thomas Royals to ground out to Pilot shortstop Brandon Magierowski to end the inning.
Blazers third baseman Ricky Owens singled to left with one out and advanced to second on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Buddy Wyrick. With two out, Shane Anderson laced a ground ball down the third base line that was destined for extra bases before Pilots junior third baseman Bryan Cooksey made a dazzling defensive play and threw out Anderson at first, keeping the Blazers off the board.
Cooksey followed with a two out RBI single up the middle that scored Colin Moro to stretch the Pilot lead to 4-0.
Jewell held the Blazers at bay through seven innings scattering six hits and two walks while collecting a season high nine strikeouts before the Pilot offense delivered the final blow in the bottom of the 7th.
The Pilots belted six hits and scored six runs which was highlighted by a bases loaded game winning two RBI single to center field off the bat of Cooksey which enforced the 10 run mercy rule, and the Pilots took game one of the three game set 10-0.
Six Pilots collected multi-hit games including a 3-4 performance by Maddox which included three runs scored and two RBI. Tyler Williams and Magierowski also collected three hits a piece, while Moro added a 2-3 performance with two runs scored and two RBI. Cooksey finished his best game of the year with a 2-4 effort and three RBI while turning in a perfect 5-5 effort on the defensive end including two outstanding diving efforts.
Fultz was tagged with the loss after 6.0 innings of work in which he scattered 10 hits and allowed four runs. Anderson was the lone Blazer with two hits which included a 5th inning double.
With the win the Pilots pulled within one game of the Blazers in the conference standings heading into tomorrows double header. Game two is scheduled for 2:00pm, with game three following approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game two.
Pilots split double-dip vs NCAA opponents
APRIL 18, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots played host to NCAA Division II Southern Arkansas University Muleriders, and NCAA Division I University of Louisiana-Monroe Tuesday afternoon at Pilot Field. The Pilots used the long ball in game one en route to a 16-3 victory over SAU, but a late eighth inning rally by ULM proved to be too much as the Pilots dropped a 9-4 decision in the night cap. In game one, Pilots center fielder Dusty Maddox belted a solo-homerun over the center field fence to open the scoring, and capped off the inning with a bases loaded three RBI double down the left field line, giving the Pilots an 8-0 lead over the Muleriders after one inning of play.
Steffan Primeaux took over from there belting two homeruns, including a 7th inning grand slam en route to a season high seven RBI game, as the Pilots went on to win by a final score of 16-3.
Maddox and Primeaux combined for five hits (three homeruns), five runs scored, and 11 RBI in the contest. Pilots senior right fielder Tyler Williams finished 3-3 with four runs scored while teammate Riley Cook added a 3-5 performance which included two runs scored and an RBI.
Daniel Welch (5-1) scattered four hits, three walks, and five hit batsman through 7.0 innings of work to collect his 5th win of the season.
Skyler Stromsmoe highlighted the Mulrider offense with a two-run homerun in the top of the 5th inning, and finished 2-3 at the plate with a hit by pitch and a walk.
Todd Woodruff (6-1) suffered his first loss of the season after allowing six runs on six hits in 1.0 innings of work.
With the win the Pilots stopped a three game skid and improved to 29-17 on the season while SAU dropped to 27-13 on the year.
After ULM dropped SAU by a 4-3 decision in an afternoon contest, LSUS and ULM squared off in the cap at Pilot Field.
ULM jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after a leadoff homerun by Steve Lawler and an RBI single by Bo Bowman.
LSUS was quick to respond as Dustin Bissonnette singled to right-center field and scored on a monster homerun over the scoreboard in left-center field by Maddox, his second of the day.
Maddox tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the 4th with a bases loaded infield single that scored Quenton Shamsabody who led off the inning with a double to left field.
Pilots reliever Tyler Lewis cruised through 6.0 innings allowing just two hits, but fell victim in the 7th to a defensive miscue by the Pilot infield which was followed by a bad hop on what had potential to be an inning ending double play, but instead turned into a two run rally for ULM that stretched their lead to 6-3.
LSUS responded in their half of the 7th after Primeaux doubled to right-center field and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Riley Cook cutting the lead to 6-4.
ULM put the game out of reach in the 8th after scoring four runs off Pilot reliever Matt Clayman who took the mound for Lewis in the 7th. Andy Jones capped off the inning with a two RBI double to right field which spelled the end for Clayman who allowed four runs on six hits in 1.0 innings of work. ULM reliever DJ Fortenberry held the Pilots scoreless through 2.2 innings to preserve the 9-4 victory. David Mixon (1-6) received credit for the win after completing 4.0 innings allowing three runs on six hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
Bowman and Jones led ULM at the plate with three hits apiece and combined for three runs scored and five RBI.
Despite a brilliant pitching performance in relief, Lewis (2-6) was tagged with the loss. He allowed two runs on four hits, and collected six strikeouts in 6.1 innings of work.
Maddox finished 3-5 at the plate with a homerun and three RBI. Bissonnette added a 3-3 performance while Shamsabody and Primeaux each added a pair of hits including two doubles and two runs scored.
LSUS will return to action again Friday night when they play host to the Belhaven College Blazers, and will look to regain the top spot in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Game one is scheduled for 6:30pm Friday night a Pilot Field.
Crusaders sweep three game series against Pilots
APRIL 17, 2006
Hattiesburg, MS---The LSUS Pilots jumped out to a 9-1 lead Friday night over the William Carey College Crusaders after Dustin Bissonnette belted a 3rd inning grand slam. The Crusaders however stormed back and took game one by a final score of 14-11. Despite leading in both games of Saturday’s double-header, the Pilots suffered a 4-3 loss in game one, and dropped game three by a final score of 5-4.
The Pilots have now dropped out of first place in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference and currently sit in a tie for second place with the University of Mobile at 14-10; two games behind the Belhaven College Blazers who currently sit at 16-8 in the GCAC.
LSUS will look to make some ground on the Blazers this upcoming weekend as they play host to BC in a three game series with game one beginning Friday night at 6:30pm.
Pilots drop to No. 14 in latest NAIA polls
APRIL 12, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The latest NAIA Division I Baseball rankings were released Wednesday afternoon and saw the LSUS Pilots drop one spot to No. 14. The Pilots improved to 28-14 with a 19-6 win Tuesday over NCAA Division III opponent LeTourneau University. The Pilots currently sit in a tie for first place in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference at 14-7 with the Belhaven College Blazers (16-8). LSUS currently holds the tie breaker over the Blazers after taking two of three games on the road earlier this season.
LSUS will square off against the William Carey College Crusaders this weekend in a three game GCAC series as they look to defend their 2005 GCAC regular season championship crown. Game one is scheduled for 6:00pm Friday night. Follow all the action live with Mark Cantrell at http://www.lsus.edu/baseball/.
Rating #5 - April 12, 2006
Rank Last Week Institution (Region) 1st Place Votes Record Total Points 1 1 Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) (I) 19 26-3 571 2 3 Oklahoma Baptist (VI) 1 30-5 542 3 2 California Baptist (II) 3 32-5 534 4 7 Oklahoma City (VI) 32-8 476 5 5 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) (XIII) 38-11 459 6 4 Biola (Calif.) (II) 24-7 454 7 6 Warner Southern (Fla.) (XIV) 34-12 417 8 10 British Columbia (I) 28-7 410 9 9 Union (Ky.) (XII) 35-7 381 10 14 Cumberland (Tenn.) (XI) 26-12 364 11 12 McKendree (Ill.) (V) 31-6 361 12 11 Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.) (II) 30-10 321 13 8 Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) (XI) 28-12 267 14 13 Louisiana State-Shreveport (XIII) 28-13 244 15 NR Embry-Riddle (Fla.) (XIV) 37-10 246 16 17 Malone (Ohio) (IX) 26-7 209 17 NR Lindenwood (Mo.) (V) 31-9 195 18 23 Lee (Tenn.) (XIII) 33-13 174 19 20 Houston Baptist (Texas) (VI) 28-11-1 157 20 22 Campbellsville (Ky.) (XI) 26-8 148 21 NR Jamestown (N.D.) (III) 17-3 116 22 NR Taylor (Ind.) 27-9 94 23 18 Missouri Baptist (V) 28-9 76 24 NR Newman (Kan.) (IV) 24-16 44 25 24 Savannah Art and Design (Ga.) (XIV) 26-15 37
Pilots walk away with 19-6 win over Yellow Jackets
APRIL 11, 2006
Longview, TX---The LSUS Pilots (28-14) traveled to Longview, TX Tuesday afternoon looking to avenge an early season loss at the hands of the LeTourneau University Yellow Jackets (10-18). The Yellow Jackets pitching struggled early walking eight LSUS hitters in the top of the 1st inning, leading to an 8-0 Pilot lead. Jacob Watkins delivered a three-run homerun and Steffan Primeaux added a season high four hits as the Pilots went on to win by a final score of 19-6.
Brian Dawson walked the bases loaded in the first which was followed by a Colin Moro RBI single for an early 1-0 LSUS lead. The Pilots would score seven more runs in the inning on just two hits, with the other being an RBI single by Scott Talley to take an 8-0 lead.
Pilots starter Daniel Welch (4-0) scattered four hits and allowed four runs (three earned) in 5.0 innings of work. The combination of Josh Wheat, Louis Roberts, and Chris Marks held the Yellow Jackets to just three hits and two runs through the final four frames.
The LSUS offense tallied 16 hits in the ballgame which included a 4-5 performance by Primeaux. Dusty Maddox added two ground-rule doubles after being hit by a pitch in his first two at bats, while catcher Scott Talley finished 3-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Quenton Shamsabody blasted his first career college homerun in the 6th which stretched the Pilots lead to 15-3. Watkins added his 4th homerun of the season in the 7th with a three-run shot off the scoreboard in right field to cap off the Pilots season high 19 run outburst.
The Pilots will return to action again Friday night when they will travel to Hattiesburg, MS to take on the William Carey College Crusaders in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference action. First pitch is slated for 6:00pm.
Pilots drop first GCAC series to Wolfpack
APRIL 08, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The Loyola University Wolfpack overcame a two run deficit of the top of the 9th inning in game one and came away with a 9-8 victory over the LSUS Pilots. The Pilots responded with an 11-7 victory in game two, but dropped game three by a final score of 6-5 which resulted in the Pilots first conference series loss of the season.
The Pilots took an 8-6 advantage into the 9th inning of game one, but three consecutive errors loaded the bases and set the stage for an RBI double by Wolfpack shortstop Andy Rodriguez, and an RBI single by pinch hitter Todd Hubbell which gave the Wolfpack a 9-8 lead.
The Pilots were retired in order in the bottom of the 9th by Wolfpack reliever Chucky Benach who was credited with the win. Matt Clayman (6-2) suffered the loss after allowing three runs (none earned) on two hits while striking out two.
Dustin Bissonnette led the Pilots to a 12-7 victory in game two going 2-3 which included a three-run homerun and two runs scored.
The Wolfpack belted 11 hits in game three and capitalized on three Pilot errors to take game three by a final score of 6-5. Trey Fury and Rodriguez each collected two hits and a run scored to lead the Wolfpack offense.
LU improved to 16-22 overall on the year and sit at 7-14 in the GCAC.
The Pilots now sit in second spot in the GCAC at 14-7, and are currently 27-14 overall.
Pilots and Wolfpack tied at 5-5; game will resume Saturday at 12:00pm
APRIL 07, 2006
Shreveport, LA---After wind, lightning, and two power outage delays, game one of the three game series between the LSUS Pilots and the Loyola University Wolfpack was brought to a halt in the bottom of the 8th inning. The Pilots tied the score at 5-5 in the 8th after a leadoff double by Brent Lavallee, and pinch runner Riley Cook stole third base and advanced home after an errant throw made its way into left field.
With a 2-1 count on Pilot hitter Bryan Cooksey, the right field lights shutoff, and forced the game to be postponed to Saturday. Game one will pick up in the bottom of the 8th with one out, and the score tied at 5-5.
Game two is temporarily scheduled for 1:00pm, with game three to follow approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game two.
Pilots defeat Reddies 7-3
APRIL 05, 2006
Shreveport, LA---Dusty Maddox provided the offense with a 2-2 performance that included a three-run homerun, and Daniel Welch provided the pitching going eight strong innings allowing just one run as the No. 13 LSUS Pilots disposed of NCAA Division II opponent Henderson State University Reddies Wednesday night 7-3 at Pilot Field.
Dustin Bissonnette led off the bottom of the 1st inning with his 10th double of the season, and after being moved to 3rd base on a sacrifice bunt by Dusty Maddox, scored on a sacrifice fly to left field by Tyler Williams for the first run of the ball game. The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Pilots until the bottom of the 3rd inning when Maddox delivered his 4th homerun of the season over the left field wall off Reddies starter Blake Diehl, giving the Pilots a 4-0 lead.
The Reddies managed their lone run off Welch in the top of the 4th after Alex Apolinar doubled deep down the left field line and later scored on an RBI single through the left side of the infield by Jose Carmona cutting the Pilot lead to 4-1.
LSUS added two more runs in the bottom of the 5th inning after Steffan Primeaux singled to left field with the bases loaded which scored Bryan Cooksey and Maddox which stretched the Pilot lead to 6-1.
Welch gave way to Pilot reliever Chris Marks after completing a scoreless 8th inning. Welch scattered six hits and just one walk while striking out five to improve to 3-0 on the year.
The Reddies capitalized on two Pilot errors in the top of the 9th and scored two runs, cutting the lead to 7-3. However, it was too little too late as Marks closed the door on the late Reddies rally as the Pilots held on to the 7-3 lead and improved to 26-12 on the season.
The Pilots one through four hitters provided eight of the Pilots nine hits and drove in all seven Pilot runs in the victory. Maddox led the way with a 2-2 effort which included three RBI and two runs scored. Bissonnette, Williams and Primeaux each added two hits and combined for four RBI and three runs scored.
The Pilots will return to action again Friday night when the will play host to the Loyola University Wolfpack in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference action. The three game series will begin Friday night with game one scheduled for 6:30pm. Games two and three will commence Saturday afternoon, with game one of the double-header scheduled for 1:00pm.
Pilots split double-header with Wildcats
APRIL 04, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots and the Louisiana College Wildcats squared off in double-header action Monday afternoon in front of 2,800 D.A.R.E. Program students at Bringhurst Park. Tyler Williams delivered a three run homerun in the top of the 6th inning stretching the Pilot lead to 9-4, and the Pilots hung on for a 9-6 victory. In game two, LSUS transfer Bryan George collected an RBI single to right-center field in the bottom of the 2nd inning which proved to be the game winning hit as the Wildcats blanked the Pilots 1-0 in game two.
The Wildcats struck first in game one scoring three runs in the top of the 1st inning off of Pilot starter Daniel Welch, but the Pilots fought their way back with solo runs in each of the first three innings. The Pilots took there first lead of the game with two runs in the 5th, and broke the game open in the 6th when Williams belted his team leading 6th homerun of the season giving the Pilots a 9-4 lead. The Wildcats loaded the bases in the bottom of the 7th with no outs and the score 9-5, but Pilot reliever Matt Clayman entered and quickly erased any chance of a Wildcat comeback. Clayman quickly forced Jeremy Trahan into a double play and got Tim Rodriguez to pop out to short, preserving the Pilots 9-6 lead, and collected his 4th save of the season.
Williams led the Pilots offensively going 1-2 including a homerun, four RBI, and a run scored. Blake Pinkston (2-1) was credited with the win after allowing just one on three hits through 4.0 innings of work.
The Pilots looked to undefeated freshman pitcher JV Laffitte (3-1) to carry the load in game two, and while he held up to his end of the bargain by throwing a complete game one hitter, and allowed just one unearned run, the Pilots fell by a final score of 1-0.
George’s RBI single to right center field in the bottom of the 2nd inning allowed Tim Rodriguez to score from second base.
The Pilots threatened in the top of the 6th but were denied two runs by a diving by Trahan in left field off a line drive by Williams.
In the 7th with one out, Pilots leading hitter Colin Moro blasted a double off the left-center field wall that was one foot shy of tying the game. Scott Talley followed with a line drive back at Wildcat reliever Justin Morgan who snagged the line shot and doubled off Moro at second base to put the wraps on the Wildcat 1-0 win.
With the split the Pilots are now 25-12 overall. LSUS will return to action Tuesday night at Pilot Field when they will play host to NCAA Division II Henderson State. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30pm.
Pilots take two from Badgers
APRIL 02, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilot pitching staff, led by Bossier Parish Community College transfer Chris Steadman, held the Spring Hill College Badgers to just two hits in game one of Sunday’s Gulf Coast Athletic Conference double-header, leading the Pilots to a 2-0 victory. In game two, the Pilots offense arouse from the dead and belted 11 hits and scored 12 runs in the top of the 1st inning of game two en route to an 18-1 victory.
Steadman (3-1) allowed singles in the top of the 1st and 6th innings to Sam Stewart and Tyler Moberg, and scattered five walks in 5.2 innings of work before handing the ball over in relief to Matt Clayman. Clayman held the Badgers scoreless in the final two frames to preserve the Pilots second shutout of the season, and collected his team leading 3rd save of the season.
The Pilots scored what proved to be the winning run in the bottom of the 1st after Dusty Maddox triple to right-center field, and then scored on an RBI single by Tyler Williams off of Badgers starter Matt Hasley. Williams drove in his second run of the game in the bottom of the 3rd inning with a single to right field that scored Dustin Bissonnette who singled to start the Pilot rally.
Hasley was credited with the loss in game one after allowing two runs on nine hits.
Game two of Sunday’s double-header was a rescheduled contest from a rainout earlier in the season, which made the Pilots play the role of visitors at their own park. The Pilots accepted their new roles well as they belted 11 hits and scored 12 runs in the top of the 1st inning.
Riley Cook delivered a bases loaded triple to right-center field to stretch the Pilots lead to 6-0. Colin Moro added his second RBI double with two out to cap off the inning and give the Pilots the early 12-0 advantage.
Jacob Watkins belted with a three run homerun in the top of the 2nd inning and added a solo-shot in the top of the 4th as the Pilot offense went on to score a season high 18 runs on 16 hits, and took the final game of the four game set by a final score of 18-1.
Watkins finished 2-2 with two homeruns and four RBI while Cook added a 2-2 performance that included four RBI and three runs scored. Williams and Moro each added two hits apiece and also added two RBI and two runs scored in the winning effort.
With the Sunday sweep the Pilots improved to 24-11 on the season and are currently in top spot in the GCAC at 13-5; three games ahead of the second place Belhaven College Badgers (13-8).
The Pilots will return to action Tuesday afternoon against the Louisiana College Wildcats in double-header action in Pineville, LA. LSUS will return home Wednesday night when they will play host to Henderson State University at Pilot Field. First pitch is slated for 6:30pm.
Pilots and Badgers split GCAC double header
APRIL 01, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots and Spring Hill College Badgers split the first two games of their four game series Saturday afternoon at Pilot Field. The Pilots mounted a two out rally in the bottom of the 7th inning in game one to tie the game at 9-9 and send the game to an extra frame. The Badgers scored one in the 8th, but the Pilots responded with two runs in the bottom of the 8th to take game one 11-10. In game two, the Badgers jumped out to an 8-2 lead, and held on down the stretch to win by a final score of 8-7.
The Pilots trailed 6-1 in game one before Colin Moro belted a grand slam over the left field wall in the bottom of the 3rd, cutting the Badger lead to 6-5. The Pilots added two more runs after the Badger pitching staff walked four of the next five hitters, including two with the bases loaded, giving the Pilots a 7-6 lead. The Pilots added a single run in the 5th inning stretching their lead to 8-6, before the Badgers scored three runs in the top of the 6th off Pilot starter Kevin Jewell and led 9-8.
Josh Coleman collected two quick outs in the top of the 7th before giving up a double to left field by pinch hitter Scott Talley, who promptly scored on a single to left field by Dustin Bissonnette to tie the game at 9-9.
SHC added one in the top of the 8th to take a 10-9 lead, but after a leadoff walk to Dusty Maddox, Tyler Williams doubled down the left field line which scored Maddox to tie the game at 10-10. The Pilots loaded the bases after an intentional walk was issued to Steffan Primeaux and Moro was hit in the head by a Coleman fastball.
With no out and the bases loaded, Pilot shortstop Brandon Magierowski came to the plate. But before Magierowski saw a pitch, Coleman began his delivery and stopped, and was called for a balk which allowed Williams to cross the plate and the Pilots took game one 11-10.
The Badgers however responded with an 8-7 win in game two. SHC belted five runs in the top of the 5th which was highlighted by Drew Sims first career homerun which gave the Badgers an 8-2 lead.
LSUS responded with five runs of their own in their half of the 5th which was capped by a triple to center field by Moro which scored Williams, and a bobble in the outfield allowed Moro to make it all the way around the bases, cutting the Badger lead to 8-7.
Jeremy Koen came on in relief for the Badgers and threw a perfect 7th inning to preserve the Badgers 8-7 lead and take game two of the series.
The Pilots and Badgers will square off in a double header again tomorrow afternoon at Pilot Field, with game one scheduled for 1:00pm.
LSUS sweeps weekly GCAC honors
MARCH 29, 2006
HATTIESBURG, Miss – The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference today announced the baseball players of the week for the week of March 20-26, 2006. Matt Clayman of LSU-Shreveport was selected as pitcher of the week. Clayman improved to 5-1 on the season with a complete game victory over the University of Mobile Rams Friday night. He collected 10 strikeouts while walking just two, and allowed three hits through nine innings. Clayman also picked up his first save of the season Tuesday afternoon against the No. 12 Houston Baptist Huskies after pitching a perfect bottom of the 7th, preserving the Pilots 4-2 lead, and completing the sweep of the Huskies. Clayman has lowered his season ERA to 2.51 and has collected 42 strikouts in 50.0 innings picthed. Matt is a 6-1 junior from Austin, TX.
Dustin Bissonnette of LSU-Shreveport is the player of the week. Bissonnette led the Pilots to a 4-1 record this week after returning to 2004-2005 form when he was selected the GCAC Player of the Year. He belted four hits and scored three runs against the HBU Huskies helping the Pilots sweep the No. 12 team on the road. Against the University of Mobile Rams, Bissonnette reached base eight times which included four hits and four walks, and remained perfect on the bases stealing two bases, which makes him 11-12 on the year. His 8-14 performance this week lifted his season batting average to .375, and he is currently tied with teammate Colin Moro for most hits on the year with 36. Dustin is 5-9 senior second baseman from Prince George, BC.
Clayman and Bissonnette were also chosen as the Region XIII pitcher and player of the week, it was announced yesterday.
Patriots pound Pilots, 13-7
MARCH 28, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The University of Texas-Tyler Patriots put up six runs in the first inning off Pilots ace Kevin Jewell Tuesday night at Pilot Field. The Pilots answered with four runs of their own in the bottom of the second inning, but that would be as close as they would come as the Patriots cruised to a 13-7 victory.
Jewell’s troubles began after hitting leadoff hitter Mayan Corioso with an 0-2 curveball. Clay Copeland followed with a walk, and the Patriots loaded the bases with a bloop single to right by Kevin Noles just out of the reach of a diving Tyler Williams. Mario Gallizi delivered an RBI single that scored Corioso and Clay would score after Pilots left fielder Riley Cook bobbled the ground ball. Brett Amyx kept the inning alive with an RBI single to center, and then with two outs, Kendal Fox singled to left field driving in Gallizi and Amyx, giving the Patriots a 6-0 lead.
In the bottom of the second Pilots catcher Brent Lavalee belted a two RBI single to left field that scored Quenton Shamsabody and Tyler Williams who each reached base on a walk. Dustin Bissonnette capped of the Pilots four run inning with an RBI double to right-center field, cutting the Patriots lead to 6-4.
UTT would answer with four runs of their own in the top of the 3rd inning when with two outs they used three walks and three hits off Pilot reliever Tyler Lewis which stretched their lead to 10-4.
The Pilots added single runs in the bottom of the 3rd, 6th, and 8th innings which cut the lead to 10-7, but the Patriots put this one away with three runs of their own in the 9th which was capped off by an RBI double by Amyx which led to the final score of 13-7.
Jewell suffered his first loss of the season after completing just one inning and allowing six runs on five hits. Lavalee led the Pilot offense going 1-2 with two RBI and a run scored. Bissonnette finished 1-3 at the plate with an RBI double, a run scored, and a stolen base.
UTT improved to 17-5 on the year while LSUS dropped to 20-10, but the Pilots will have a chance tie the series at 1-1 as the two teams will square off again tomorrow night in Tyler, TX. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00pm.
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.
Pilots continue to roll with 6-1 victory over Rams
MARCH 24, 2006
Shreveport, LA---Matt Clayman (5-1) continued his dominance on the mound for the LSUS Pilots Friday night with a complete game three hit masterpiece over the University of Mobile Rams. The Pilots went on to win by a final score of 6- 1, and improved to 19-8 on the season, and remain in top spot in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference at 9-3. Eduardo Davilla blooped the first pitch of the game into center field for a lead single for the Rams. Davilla would promptly steal second and advance to third on a fielder’s choice. Lance Howard scored Davilla from third with a ground ball to second base, giving the Rams an early 1-0 lead.
Pilot leadoff hitter Dustin Bissonnette doubled down the left field line off of Rams starting pitcher Keegan Laycock to begin the bottom of the 1st inning. Next at the plate was Dusty Maddox who took a Laycock fastball square in the side of the head which knocked Maddox to the ground, and had Pilot fans holding their breath. Maddox remained in the game and proved to be alright. Laycock continued to struggle early as he walked Tyler Williams to load the bases with no outs.
Steffan Primeaux struck out swinging for the first out of the inning which brought Pilots leading hitter Colin Moro to the plate. Moro would draw an RBI walk which scored Bissonnette to tie the game at 1-1. That is all the Pilots would get however as Laycock struck out Quenton Shamsabody for the second out, and got Jacob Watkins to ground out to second ending the Pilot rally.
The score remained tied at 1-1 until the bottom of the 4th inning when Watkins scored from third base on a misplayed grounder by Rams second baseman Jerod Baria which gave the Pilots a 2-1 lead.
The Pilots stretched their lead to 4-1 with two runs in the bottom of the 6th which was capped off by a deep drive to right- center field by Maddox that was caught on the warning track by Justin Rosin which allowed Cooksey to score easily from third base.
UM looked as though they had Clayman on the ropes in the top of the 7th after Daniel Harper singled up the middle to lead off the inning, and then a hit by pitch and a walk loaded the bases with just one out, and pinch hitter Justin Ragan coming to the plate. Ragan drew the count to 3-0 before Clayman battled back and eventually struck out Ragan on a 3-2 slider for the second out of the inning. Clayman then made quick work of Carlos Romero, striking him out looking on three straight pitches to close the door on the Rams rally.
The Pilots added two more runs in the bottom of the 7th, stretching their lead to 6-1, and that is the way it would end as Clayman held the Rams scoreless through the 9th. Clayman collected 10 strikeouts while walking just two in 9.0 innings of work to improve his record to 5-1 on the year.
Cooksey led the Pilots offense going 2-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Bissonnette, Maddox, Moro, and Brent Lavallee each added two hits a piece.
Laycock was tagged with the loss after allowing two runs in 4.1 innings of work. Davilla led the Rams with two of the team’s three hits and scored the lone Ram run.
Games two and three of the series will begin at 1:00pm Saturday afternoon in the form of a double-header. Those who are unable to attend can catch all of the action live with the voice of the Pilots, Mark Cantrell, by visiting http://www.lsus.edu/baseball/ and clicking on the listen live link to hear the broadcast.
Pilots climb back into Top 25
MARCH 23, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots have won nine of their last ten games, including two wins over the previously No.11 Belhaven College Blazers this past weekend to improve to 18-8 on the season. In the latest NAIA polls that were released Wednesday afternoon, the Pilots were ranked No. 14.
Coming in at No. 12 was the Houston Baptist University Huskies at 19-8. The Pilots took two games from the Huskies on the road Tuesday afternoon which will be included in the results for next weeks rankings that could see the Pilots crack the Top 10 with a good showing this upcoming weekend against the University of Mobile Rams. The Pilots and Rams will square off in a three game series beginning Friday night at Pilot Field. First pitch is slated for 6:30pm.
Rating #2 - March 22, 2006
RANK LAST WEEK SCHOOL (Region) 1ST PLACE VOTES RECORD TOTAL POINTS 1 1 Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) (I) 16 18-3 563 2 2 California Baptist (II) 6 26-2 556 3 NR Oklahoma City (VI) 1 20-6 512 4 5 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) (XIII) 29-6 493 5 3 Biola (Calif.) (II) 16-4 443 6 NR Lubbock Christian (Texas) (VI) 22-5 432 7 8 Union (Ky.) (XII) 26-5 414 8 12 Warner Southern (Fla.) (XIV) 23-9 404 9 19 Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) (XI) 21-8 369 10 6 Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.) (II) 24-7 345 11 9 Benedictine (Kan.) (V) 14-4 319 12 NR Houston Baptist (Texas) (VI) 19-8 289 13 10 Campbellsville (Ky.) (XI) 16-5 261 14 NR Louisiana State-Shreveport (XIII) 17-7 248 15 7 Bellevue (Neb.) (IV) 12-10 239 16 21 British Columbia (I) 18-6 229 17 NR Dakota State (S.D.) (III) 18-3 185 18 16 McKendree (Ill.) (V) 16-4 177 19 NR Malone (Ohio) (IX) 16-3 160 20 NR Oklahoma Baptist (VI) 17-3 132 21 NR Cumberland (Tenn.) (XI) 18-10 115 22 NR Savannah Art and Design (Ga.) (XIV) 19-10 101 23 NR Berry (Ga.) (XIII) 23-1 79 24 NR Missouri Baptist (V) 19-5 54 25 NR Jamestown (N.D.) (III) 9-1 44 Others Receiving Votes:Albertson (Idaho) (I), 32; William Jewell (Mo.) (V), 32; Cumberlands (Ky.) (XI), 31; Flagler (Fla.) (XIV), 29; Azusa Pacific (Calif.) (II), 28; Ottawa (Kan.) (IV), 18; Concordia (Calif.) (II), 16; Belhaven (Miss.) (XIII), 15; Taylor (Ind.), 15; Tennessee Wesleyan (XII), 15; St. Xavier (Ill.) (VII), 14; Avila (Mo.) (V), 11; Oklahoma Christian (VI), 11; Urbana (Ohio) (IX), 11; Park (Mo.) (IV), 10; Lyon (Ark.) (XI), 8; St. Mary (Kan.), 6; Northwood (Texas) (VI), 3; Shorter (Ga.) (XIII), 3; Culver-Stockton (Mo.) (V), 2; Bethany (Kan.) (IV), 1; Friends (Kan.) (IV), 1.
Clayman earns GCAC Pitcher of the Week honors
MARCH 22, 2006
Hattiesburg, MS---Matt Clayman of LSUS was selected as the baseball pitcher of the week. Clayman, a 6-1 junior pitcher from Austin, TX improved to 4-1 on the season with a complete game three-hit masterpiece against the No. 11 Belhaven College Blazers Friday night. He collected a season high 11 strikeouts while allowing just one unearned run.
In 41.0 innings pitched this season, Clayman has allowed just 37 hits and 13 earned runs and has lowered his ERA to a stingy 2.85. He has surrendered just five walks while collecting a team high 32 strikeouts, and has held opposing hitters to a .239 batting average.
Pilots take two from Huskies on the road
MARCH 21, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots traveled to Houston, TX to take on the Houston Baptist University Huskies in double header action Tuesday afternoon. Tyler Lewis tossed a complete game shutout leading the Pilots to a 7-0 victory in game one, and an error free defensive effort by the Pilots led to a 4-2 win in game two, completing the sweep of the home town Huskies.
In game one, Pilots second baseman Dustin Bissonnette supplied the offense with a 4-4 performance at the plate which included two runs scored and an RBI. Bissonnette led off the top of the 1st inning with a single up the middle which started a three run rally that was capped off by a two out RBI single by Quinton Shamsabody.
The Pilots added three more runs in the top of the 2nd which was highlighted by an RBI single by Colin Moro and stretched their lead to 6-0.
That would be all the offense the Pilots would need as Lewis kicked it into cruise control and completed a season high 7.0 innings pitched en route to the Pilots first shutout of the year. Lewis scattered six hits and one walk while striking out one HBU hitter.
In game two, Huskies second baseman Efrain Gonzalez bobbled a ground ball allowing Bissonnette to reach safely to lead off the 1st. Bissonnette promptly stole second and third base and scored on an errant throw that found its way to left field by Huskies catcher Josh Jackson. Shamsabody capped off the inning with his third single of the afternoon which scored Moro and Tyler Williams putting the Pilots ahead 3-0.
Daniel Welch took the mound in the bottom of the 2nd inning for JV Laffitte and scattered five hits and two runs over 4.0 innings of work and left the game with a 4-2 lead. Kevin Jewell took the mound in the bottom of the 6th and held the Huskies scoreless before giving way to Matt Clayman who slammed the door with a perfect bottom of the 7th, preserving the Pilots 4-2 lead.
Welch (1-0) was credited with the win while Clayman collected his first save of the season. Moro continued his hot hitting of late with a 2-3 performance and two runs scored leading the Pilots offense. Shamsabody finished 1-1 with two RBI.
The sweep of the Huskies improved the Pilots overall record to 18-8 this season and they currently sit on top of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference at 8-3. LSUS will return to action again Friday night when they play host to the University of Mobile in game one of a three game series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30pm.
Pilots take two of three from Blazers on the road
MARCH 18, 2006
Jackson, MS---The LSUS Pilots looked to regain the top spot in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Saturday from the No. 11 Belhaven College Blazers. After taking game one of the series Friday night behind a complete game by starting pitcher Matt Clayman 5-1, LSUS received yet another tremendous pitching performance from junior left hander Kevin Jewell, and took game two of the series by a final score of 3-1. In game three of the series, the Blazers capitalized on three Pilot errors in the 4th inning and scored five runs on just two hits, and avoided the sweep with a 7-1 victory.
Last Saturday Jewell threw a complete game no-hitter against the William Carey College Crusaders to improve to 3-0; this Saturday he scattered three hits and one walk against the Blazers en route to a 3-1 victory to improve to 4-0.
The Pilots struck first with two runs in the 2nd inning after Dustin Bissonnette hit a two out bases loaded single up the middle past a diving Blazers defense to score Jacob Watkins and Riley Cook for a 2-0 lead.
Blazers starter, Thomas Royals (5-1), hit Pilots catcher Brent Lavallee with one out who promptly advanced to 3rd after Bryan Cooksey singled to right center field. Bissonnette followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to score Lavalee stretching the Pilot lead to 3-0.
BC managed to scratch a run across in their half of the 4th after catcher Buddy Wyrick delivered an RBI double to left- center field to score Ricky Owens, cutting the Pilot lead to 3-1. Howell, Jewell responded by shutting down the Blazer offense and not allowing a single base runner over the last three innings.
Cooksey led the Pilot offense with a 2-2 performance including two singles and a walk. Bissonnette delivered the winning RBI and finished 1-4 with two RBI.
Royals went the distance for the Blazers allowing three runs (two earned), seven hits, two walks, and collected five strikeouts. Royals finished 1-3 at the plate while Wyrick finished 1-3 with a double and an RBI. After taking games one and two with some outstanding pitching and defense and timely hitting, the Pilots could not repeat their recipe for success in game three. The Blazers capitalized on three LSUS errors and three free passes by starting pitcher Chris Steadman and poured across five runs in the bottom of the 4th to take a 5-0 lead.
LSUS threatened to cut into the Blazer lead after an RBI single by Colin Moro scored Steffan Primeaux and placed runners on first and second with pinch hitter Scott Talley at the plate. Blazers starting pitcher Larkin Braxton however put an end to the Pilot rally by picking off pinch runner Cook at first base.
BC responded with two more runs in the bottom half of the 6th after Bryan Bennett drove a bases loaded double to right- center field off Pilot reliever Blake Pinkston stretching their lead to 7-1.
Braxton polished off a complete game effort with three of his seven strikeouts in the top of the 7th, putting the clamp on the Blazers 7-1 victory. Braxton held the Pilots to just five hits and allowed one earned run to improve to 6-1 on the year.
Shawn Anderson finished 1-2 with two runs scored while Royals added a 2-3 performance at the plate to lead the Blazers offense.
Moro finished 2-2 with two singles and Primeaux added a 1-3 performance which included a triple and the lone LSUS run scored.
The Pilots improved to 16-7 on the year and are now 8-3 in conference play while the Blazers dropped to 10-5 in the GCAC.
LSUS will return to action again Tuesday afternoon when they will travel to Houston, TX to take on the Houston Baptist Huskies in double-header action before returning home to Pilots Field Friday night when they will play host to the University of Mobile Rams. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30pm.
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.
Jewell tosses no-hitter; Pilots sweep Crusaders
MARCH 11, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots and the William Carey College Crusaders squared off in a doubleheader contest Saturday afternoon at Pilot Field. In game one, 5’11 left hander Kevin Jewell took the mound for the Pilots and did not disappoint. In fact, on this day, he was near perfect and did something no other Pilot pitcher has ever done at Pilot Field; he threw a no-hitter.
“We have been scoring a lot of runs lately but our staff has struggled a little bit out of the gate and I wanted to give us a boost on the mound today. All of a sudden in the 5th inning I looked at the scoreboard to see what the count was and I saw the zero and thought, wow, this is neat,” explained Jewell, a junior from Alamogordo, NM.
Dustin Bissonnette led off the Pilots half of the 1st with a double to the right center field gap and promptly scored on a Dusty Maddox RBI single to right. Steffan Primeaux and Jeff Ledet each followed with RBI singles to give the Pilots an early 3-0 lead.
Maddox delivered a two-run blast over the left field fence for his second homerun of the season in the bottom of the 2nd inning putting the Pilots up 5-0.
The Crusaders reached base for the first time in the 4th after Bissonnette misplayed a tough hop on a ground ball up the middle allowing Casey Ginn to reach first base. Jewell struck out Greg Alexander for the first out of the inning, and then Ginn promptly stole second base and advanced to third after Brent Lavalee’s throw sailed into center field. Elliot Burch then delivered a sacrifice fly to right center field for the lone Crusader run.
“Our defense really stepped up today. We had a couple of errors on the board, but I know two of them were on tough hops which you just can’t do anything about. Both Cooksey and Bissonnette made great plays to keep things in order in the middle innings. Today was a total team effort,” concluded Jewell.
Jewell’s battery mate, Lavalee, delivered the crushing blow in the bottom of the 5th as he delivered a bases loaded 0-0 curveball from Gunter O’Neal over the left field fence for his first career grand slam, and second homerun of the season as the Pilots went on to win game one by a final score of 10-1.
Jewell recorded a strikeout in every inning and finished with 10 total, including the last out of the game when he struck out Steven Johnson on a 2-2 curveball. With the win Jewell improved to 3-0 on the year and lowered his ERA to a team best 1.41.
“He didn’t have his best stuff in the bullpen, but he stepped it up on the mound and competed every pitch today. I am very happy and proud of his performance today,” commented Pilots pitching coach Andy Heckman.
Lavalee finished with a 2-3 performance at the plate and collected four RBI to lead the Pilots offense. Maddox was 2-3 including a homerun, two RBI, and three runs scored, while Primeaux pitched in with two hits including a monstrous solo- homerun over the left field wall in the bottom of the 6th inning.
Glenn Williams (0-2) was tagged with the loss after allowing eight hits and five earned runs in 2.1 innings pitched.
In game two the Crusaders drew first blood after Pilots starter Chris Steadman walked lead off hitter Casey Ginn who later scored on a Michael Orso RBI single.
Crusaders starter Josh Johnson cruised through the first two innings without allowing a hit, but the potent Pilot offense erupted for five runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning and chased Johnson from the mound. Tyler Williams capped off the inning with a two out two RBI single to left field stretching the Pilot lead to 5-1.
The Crusaders responded quickly as they mounted a three run rally by virtue of the long ball as Pat Burch belted a two run homer to left which was followed by a two out solo-homerun by twin brother Elliott Burch, which cut the Pilot lead to 5- 4.
LSUS struck again in the bottom of the 6th with a five run outburst to put game two out of reach. Jeff Ledet led off with a double to center field and scored on a Quenton Shamsabody RBI single with one out. Maddox later delivered a two RBI single to right field and promptly scored on a triple to center field by Williams which put the Pilots ahead 10-4.
WCC added a single run in the top of the 7th before Williams who came on in relief of JV Lafitte in the 7th and closed the door on a 10-5 win and series sweep for the Pilots.
Steadman (2-0) was credited with the win after completing 4.0 innings while allowing four runs on five hits and struck out two. Maddox led the Pilot offense going 2-4 at the plate with three RBI and two runs scored. Bissonnette, Williams, and Shamsabody each finished with two hits and combined for four runs scored and four RBI.
Johnson (1-2) was credited with the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits in 2.2 innings of work. E. Burch finished 1-2 at the plate with two runs scored and an RBI. Jerry Bourne added a 2-2 performance in the losing effort.
The Pilots have improved there regular season record to 12-7 overall and are now 6-2 in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference play. LSUS will return to action Tuesday night when they play host to Texas Wesleyan University. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30pm.
Pilots cruise past Crusaders 13-3 in eight innings
MARCH 10, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots (10-7) scored 13 runs on 13 hits and used a complete game pitching performance by Matt Clayman (3-2) en route to a 13-3 win in eight innings over the William Carey College Crusaders (8-9) Friday night at Pilot Field.
The Crusaders struck first with a single run in the top of the first after Greg Alexander doubled to right field and then scored on a two out single Lance Brewer.
The Pilots answered immediately in their half of the first as Dustin Bissonnette led off with a triple to right center field and then scored on a ground ball to third from Dusty Maddox to tie the score at 1-1.
The two teams traded solo runs in the second inning, and WCC added another in the top of the third after Alexander connected on his second double of the game and then scored on an Elliot Burch single up the middle to take a 3-2 lead.
LSUS capitalized on three Crusader errors in the bottom of the fourth and scored two runs to take a 4-3 lead. The Pilots added two more in the fifth, and Tyler Williams belted a solo-homerun in the sixth which put the Pilots ahead 7-3.
Colin Moro led of the 7th with a double to center field and later scored on a bases loaded single by Pilots junior third baseman Bryan Cooksey. Brent Lavalee added an RBI single to score Jacob Watkins which stretched the Pilot lead to 10- 3.
The Pilots loaded the bases in the bottom of the 8th and scored three runs on an RBI hit by pitch to Jeff Ledet, an RBI walk by Cooksey, and then ended the game by virtue of a 10 run mercy rule after a ground ball by Bissonnette was fielded and thrown away by Crusader shortstop Jerry Bourne which allowed Ledet to score and end the game.
Clayman completed 8.0 innings of work and scattered eight hits and collected five strikeouts to improve to 3-2 on the year. Bissonnette, Watkins, Cooksey, Williams, and Moro each collected two hits. Cooksey finished with a game high three RBI while Moro and Ledet scored three runs a piece. “Matt gave us a tremendous pitching performance tonight. He threw strikes and did not walk a single hitter which allowed him to stay away from the big inning. Our offense did a tremendous job of hitting the ball to all fields tonight and we came out with a big win against a very tough Crusader team,” commented Pilots Head Coach Rocke Musgraves after Friday’s contest.
The Pilots and Crusaders will return to action Saturday afternoon at 2:00 for games two and three of the series. First pitch is slated for 2:00pm.
Yellow Jackets stun Pilots 10-8
MARCH 07, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots played host to the LeTourneau University Yellow Jackets Tuesday afternoon at field. The Yellow Jackets exploded for six runs in the second inning off Pilot starter Blake Pinkston and held off the Pilots offense just long enough as they went on to defeat the Pilots for the first time in six years by a final score of 10-8.
Colin Moro led the Pilots with a 2-4 performance at the plated including two homeruns and five RBI. Dusty Maddox added three hits including two doubles.
The Pilots will return to action again Friday night when they will play host to the William Carey College Crusaders. First pitch is slated for 6:30pm.
Calling All LSUS Baseball Alumni
MARCH 06, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The 2006 LSUS Baseball Alumni game has been scheduled for Friday, March 31, 2006 at 6:30pm. Last season's turnout was the best in LSUS history, and we look forward to having an even better event this year. T-Shirts, food, etc. will be on site for and after the game.
The Pilots will be in action Saturday with a GCAC double-header against the Spring Hill College Badgers beginning at 4:00pm. Game three of the series will be Sunday with the first pitch slated for 1:00pm.
McCaulley's homer lifts Loyola over LSU-Shreveport 5-3
MARCH 06, 2006
Westwego, La. – Bryan McCaulley hit a two run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a 3-3 tied to give Loyola a 5-3 victory Sunday afternoon at Segnette Field.
Loyola trailed 3-0 into the bottom of the seventh inning before rallying for five runs in their last two frames.
In the seventh, Andy Rodriguez and Trey Fury hit consecutive singles to open the inning for the Wolfpack. Pinch hitter Todd Hubbell doubled to left center scoring Rodriguez and Fury to cut the lead to 3-2. David Kathmann pinch ran for Hubbell and advanced to third on Bobby Alvarez’s fielder’s choice. Kathmann scored on Brian Mason’s sacrifice fly to left center to tie the score.
Loyola reliever Sal Greco entered in the top of the eighth and retired the Pilots in order, including striking out Colin Moro to end the frame.
Tyler Lewis entered in the Loyola eighth and was greeted by a single by David Lauricella to bring McCaulley to the plate. The senior right fielder deposited Lewis’s first pitch over the wall in left center to give Loyola the 5-3 lead.
Greco stranded two runners in the top half of the ninth, getting Pilot leadoff hitter Dustin Bissonnette to fly to left field to end the game.
Greco (1-0) got the win for the Wolfpack (8-9, 1-5 GCAC).
He threw two scoreless innings and gave up two hits and struck out three. Starter Chucky Benach threw six innings.
He surrendered one run on five hits and struck out three.
Lauricella, McCaulley, and Fury each had two hits for the Wolfpack.
Jeff Ledet led the Pilots (8-5, 3-2 GCAC) going 3 for 4.
Lewis (0-2) was tagged with the loss. He gave up two run on two hits and struck out two in one inning of work. Starter Matt Clayman went seven innings and gave up three runs on seven hits and struck out four.
LSU-Shreveport sweeps Loyola in double header
MARCH 04, 2006
Westwego, La. – LSU-Shreveport swept Loyola in a GCAC double header on Saturday afternoon at Segnette Field. In the first game, Dustin Bissonnette was 3 for 4 as the Pilots downed the Wolfpack 5-1. Kevin Jewell (1-0) got the complete game victory. He went seven innings and gave up one run on five hits and struck out 10 Loyola hitters. For Loyola, James Blakeman (0-2) got the loss. He threw 5.2 innings, giving up five runs, one earned on eight hits and struck out one. David Lauricella led at the plate for the Wolfpack. He was 3 for 4 and drove in the only Loyola run.
In the second game, the Pilots belted out 11 hits in route to an 11-1 victory. Dusty Maddox, Jeff Ledet, Brandon Magierowski and Bissonnette each had two hits. Matt Clayman (3-0) got the victory, giving up only three hits in five innings of work.
For Loyola, Bobby Alvarez (1-1) was tagged with the loss. He threw four innings and gave up six runs on six hits and struck out three.
The series concludes with a single game on Sunday at Segnette Field. First pitch is for 2 p.m.
Pilots drop game two 10-9 and split double-header with Bears
FEBRUARY 28, 2006
CONWAY, Ark _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears used a six-run sixth inning to rally for a 10-9 victory over LSU- Shreveport on Tuesday and earn a split of their non-conference doubleheader.
The Pilots won the opener 9-6 behind four home runs.
The Bears (9-5) tallied four solo home runs in the first four innings in the nightcap but still trailed 9-4 going into the bottom of the sixth inning. Jonathan Ashworth led off the inning with another solo homer to left center. Consecutive walks to Todd Gossage and Ben McMurry and a single by Matt Warren loaded the bases.
Catcher Chris Davis was hit by a pitch, the ninth of the day for the Pilots, brought in Gossage to make it 9-6. Scott Cline grounded out to bring in McMurry before Chris Houk tied it with a two-run double to left center.
Payton Seelinger then tripled down the right-field line for the go-ahead run.
Ashworth, a junior from Little Rock, moved from shortstop to the mound for the seventh inning and got the save, striking out the final batter. Zach Barnett, who pitched a perfect sixth inning, got the win.
Gossage had two of UCA’s home runs, while Ashworth, Warren and Davis added the others. Gossage led off the game with his first solo homer and led off the fourth with another.
In the opener, the Pilots (6-4) got home runs from Dusty Maddox, Tyler Williams, Steffan Primeaux and Brent Lavalee and scored nine earned runs off two UCA pitchers. Matt Clayman went the distance for LSU-S, allowing 9 hits and 5 earned runs.
For the Bears, Warren had a pair of doubles and went 2 for 2 with 3 runs scored.
Story courtesy CAU Sports Information
Pilots salvage split against Badgers
FEBRUARY 25, 2006
Mobile, AL---The LSUS Pilots dropped their Gulf Coast Athletic Conference season opener to the Spring Hill College Badgers Friday night 4-2. Badgers starting pitcher Josh Coleman went the distance scattering six hits and two Pilot runs.
The Pilots trailed 3-0 after the first inning of game two but evened the score at 3-3 in their half of the 6th.
The Badgers threatened in the bottom of the 7th with runners on second and third with two outs. Pilots second baseman Dustin Bissonnette made a spectacular play to his left and denied the Badgers a game winning single which sent the game to an extra frame.
The Pilots made the best of their second chance as Bissonnette led off the top of the 8th with a single and promptly scored after Tyler Williams tripled to center field. Williams scored one hitter later as Steffan Primeaux delivered a deep sacrifice fly to center field, giving the Pilots a 5-3 lead.
SHC scored one in their half of the 8th but could not complete the comeback as the Pilots held on for a 5-4 victory.
Game three of the series has been postponed due to rain and will be made up as part of a four game series in Shreveport.
Due to weather, LSUS vs Lindenwood double-header has been cancelled
FEBRUARY 17, 2006
Shreveport. LA---Saturday’s scheduled double-header between LSUS and Lindenwood University has been cancelled due to the weather forecast.
The Pilots will return to action next Tuesday when they will travel to Pineville, LA to take on the Louisiana College Wildcats. First pitch is slated for 2:00pm.
LSUS Pilots schedule changes brings Lindenwood University to Pilot Field Saturday
FEBRUARY 15, 2006
Shreveport, LA---LSUS Baseball has made changes to this week’s upcoming schedule. Saturday’s double-header against the Paul Quinn College Tigers has been cancelled and the Pilots will now play host to the Lindenwood University Lions of St. Charles, Missouri.
The Lions have posted an early season record of 4-4 against a very tough NAIA schedule. The Lions swept the University of Mobile Rams in their first two contests of the season before the Rams evened the series a 2-2 with a double-header sweep of their own one day later. The Lions then proceeded to defeat the Spring Hill College Badgers 6-3, and then beat the No. 1 Oklahoma City Stars 4-0 in game one of their three game set.
The Pilots however are on a streak of their own after winning three straight games over the No. 8 Spalding University Pelicans to improve to 5-3 on the year. Saturday’s match-up at Pilot Field will be a good test for both squads as they look to climb the ladder of the 2006 NAIA ranks. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00pm.
Pilots pound Pelicans 12-4, and 11-1 in Sunday double-header
FEBRUARY 13, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The No. 14 LSUS Pilots responded from an 8-5 loss at the hands of the No. 8 Spalding University Pelicans last Thursday in game one of their four game series by sweeping the next three games, including a double- header Sunday afternoon, by outscoring the Pelicans by a 33-5 margin.
In game one Sunday the Pilots scored six runs in the bottom in the bottom of the second inning off Pelican starter B.J. Stivers. Junior third baseman Bryan Cooksey delivered a triple to deep right center field with the bases loaded which put this one out of reach for the Pelicans.
The Pilots added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning when center fielder Tyler Williams belted a 1-1 pitch over the right field wall for his first homerun of the season making the score 10-1.
The Pelicans would add three runs in the top of the fifth inning, however the Pilots responded with two runs of their own in their half of the fifth after Cooksey delivered an RBI double to left center field which was followed by an RBI double by Williams making the score 12-4.
Pilots starting pitcher Marcus Calhoun (1-0) received credit for the win after allowing three runs on just two hits over 4.0 innings of work. Cooksey and Williams finished a combined 5-5 at the plate with eight RBI and five runs scored. Steffan Primeaux added two hits including a double and a triple driving in two runs and scoring twice. Right fielder Colin Moro also collected two hits with a 2-3 performance.
Game two provided much of the same as the Pilots jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the first inning courtesy of a three-run homerun off the bat of Jacob Watkins.
LSUS added five more runs in the bottom of the third inning which was highlighted by a bases loaded two out single by catcher Quenton Shamsabody giving the Pilots a 9-0 lead.
Williams capped off a perfect 6-6 performance at the plate with his second homerun of the day off Pelican reliever Brandon Farmer in the bottom of the fourth stretching the Pilot lead to 11-0.
The Pelicans would add a solo run in the top of the sixth inning off reliever Blake Pinkston but that would be all as the Pilots went on to win by a final score of 11-1.
J.V. Lafitte (1-0) completed 3.0 innings of work allowing just two hits while scattering four walks for his first win the season.
Williams finished 3-3 which included a homerun, three RBI and three runs scored while Cooksey was 2-3 with two doubles and two runs scored. Watkins added a 3-4 performance with a three-run homerun, a double, four RBI, and two runs scored.
The Pilots have now improved to 5-3 on the year and will be off until Saturday afternoon when they will play host to the Paul Quinn College Tigers at Pilot Field in double-header action. Game one is scheduled for 1:00pm.
Pilots split double-header with Pelicans
FEBRUARY 09, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The No. 14 LSUS Pilots played host to the No. 8 Spalding University Pelicans Thursday night at Pilot Field in double-header action. The Pilots squandered a 5-4 lead heading into the top of the 7th inning in game one after allowing four runs and lost by a final score of 8-5. The Pilots responded in game two with a 10-0 pounding over the Pelicans avoiding the sweep and improved to 3-3 on the year.
The Pelicans struck first in game one when Alex Kerins scored with two outs after Pilots short stop Brandon Magierowski made an errant throw to first allowing Kyle Bishof to reach base.
LSUS responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the first off starting pitcher Mike Damchuk. Dustin Bissonnette led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third after Riley Cook delivered a double of the top of the left field wall. Tyler Williams followed with a two RBI double down the right field line and scored one pitch later after Steffan Primeaux delivered a single to center field to give the Pilots a 3-1 lead.
In the top of the 3rd inning the Pelicans took advantage of two Pilot errors and scored three runs of their own off just two hits to take a 4-3 lead.
Cook led off the Pilots half of the 3rd with a single and advanced to third base after Williams singled to center. Cook scored on a Colin Moro fielder’s choice to tie the game at 4-4.
Pilots starting pitcher Kevin Jewell allowed just one hit over the next three innings giving the Pilots a chance to break the game open. That chance came in the bottom of the 6th inning when the Pilots loaded the bases with no outs. Bryan Cooksey hit a ground ball to short which was thrown home for the force out but the ball was dropped by catcher Mark Aubrey allowing the go ahead run to score. The Pelicans however escaped the bases loaded jam after Magierowski grounded into a double play which included a force out at home, and then got pinch hitter Scott Talley to ground out to second base keeping the Pilot lead at 5-4.
The Pilots lifted Jewell in the top of the 7th to bring on sophomore closer Kris Marks. The Pelicans got to Marks quickly as Matt Brady singled to center and Bischoff followed with a triple to right center field tying the ballgame at 5-5. Bischoff scored on a double-steal one batter later which proved to be the winning run in the contest as Damchuk retire the Pilots in order in the bottom of the 7th.
Damchuk (1-1) scattered eight hits and three walks while allowing five runs (four earned) and collecting five strikeouts. Kerins led the Pelican offense with a 2-5 performance and scored two runs.
Jewell (0-0) received the no decision after allowing just one earned run over 6.0 innings. Marks (0-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits in 1.0 innings.
The Pilots welcomed the return of starting pitcher Matt Clayman in game two. Clayman got the ball for his first start of the year and did not disappoint as he went six strong shutout innings while scattering five hits, walking just one and striking out five Pelicans.
LSUS scored three runs in the bottom of the second and one in the fourth before erupting for six runs in the bottom of the fifth inning which was capped by a three-run in the park homerun by third baseman Bryan Cooksey.
Cooksey led the Pilots offense with a 2-3 performance at the plate which included two runs and three RBI. Bissonnette and Moro each added two hits apiece in the 10-0 route over the Pelicans.
Game three of the series will be played Sunday afternoon at 1:00pm at Pilot Field.
Pilots stomp Steers, 14-3
FEBRUARY 07, 2006
Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots erupted for nine runs in the top of the fourth inning Tuesday night at Pilot Field against the Texas College Steers to take a commanding 11-0 lead. LSUS would add a single run in the fifth inning and two more in the sixth as they went on to defeat the Steers 14-3.
The Pilots struck first in the bottom of the second inning when starting shortstop Jacob Watkins delivered a single to right center field and advanced to second on a throwing error by right fielder Nolan Williams, which was followed by an errant throw by shortstop Dustin Parker which made its way down the right field line allowing Watkins to advance all the way home giving the Pilots a 1-0 lead.
Pilots designated hitter Scott Talley followed with a single to left field and later scored on a single by starting catcher Brent Porche putting the Pilots ahead 2-0.
After a scoreless third inning, the Pilots erupted for nine runs which was highlighted by Dustin Bissonnette and David McGhee RBI singles which put the game out of reach.
Blake Pinkston was the pitcher of record and collected his first win of the season after scattering two hits and one walk over 2.0 complete innings of work.
McGhee finished 2-3 at the plate and collected a game high three RBI while Bissonnette added a 2-4 performance at the plate with an RBI and two runs scored. Pilot left fielder Riley Cook also collected two hits which included a triple, two RBI, and two runs scored.
With the win the Pilots improve to 2-2 on the year and will look forward to Thursday night when they will play host to the No. 8 Spalding University at Pilot Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30pm.
Pilots vs Chaps rescheduled due to rain
FEBRUARY 03, 2006
Shreveport, LA---Due to inclement weather, Friday night’s scheduled contest between the LSUS Pilots and the Lubbock Christian University Chaps has been postponed.
The two teams will square off in a double-header Saturday afternoon at Pilot Field with game one scheduled to begin at 12:00pm.
Chaps down Pilots 6-5 in season opener at Pilot Field
FEBRUARY 02, 2006
Shreveport, LA---Two of the NAIA’s Top 20 teams squared off against each other Thursday in the No. 9 Lubbock Christian University Chaps and the No. 14 LSUS Pilots. The two teams battled through a nine inning contest that saw the Chaps come out on top with a 6-5 win, spoiling the Pilots season and home opener.
The Chaps struck first with two runs in the first inning off Pilots starter Kevin Jewell. Jon Dover won an eight pitch at bat battle with a single to shallow left field and would later score on a Justin Sundlie double that blooped between Pilot outfielders Colin Moro and Tyler Williams for the first run of the ball game. Lundlie promptly stole third and advanced home when Pilot catcher Brent Lavallee made an errant throw that found its way down the left field line.
With one out in the top of the fourth, Zach Barnard delivered the Chaps third run via a solo-blast over the right field wall for his first homerun of the season making the score
3-0.
The Pilot offense finally put a run across in the bottom of the 6th inning of Chaps starter Raymond Pelton after back-to- back triples by Williams and Steffan Primeaux. Primeaux would later score when Moro drove a two out double into the left-center field gap cutting the Chaps lead to 3-2. Pelton completed 5.1/3 innings allowing two runs on six hits while collecting six strikeouts.
The Chaps answered with two runs f there own in the top of the 7th when with two outs and the bases loaded, Lance Bina hit a ground ball directly at Pilots second baseman Dustin Bissonnette that took an untimely hop of the infield dirt and ricocheted to the left of Bissonnette allowing two runners to score giving the Chaps a 5-2 lead.
In the bottom half of the 7th, Nick Pauza walked pinch hitter Scott Talley and with two outs hit Williams placing runners at the corners. With the count 2-0 on clean-up hitter, Primeaux delivered a three-run homerun over the left field wall which tied the score at 5-5.
Michael Harkins led off the top of the 8th with a ground ball that was headed down the line but was collected by the Pilots diving third baseman Bryan Cooksey who’s thrown was just off target allowing Harkins to reach safely. Kris Marks quickly relieved Josh Wheat (0-1) who was tagged with the loss after throwing just two pitches. Marks then threw away a pickoff attempt to first allowing Harkins to advance to third with no out.
Marks struck out Barnard and then intentionally walked Emmanuel Paula and was then forced to face Armando Dominguez.
Dominguez delivered a ground ball double that stayed just inside the third base bag allowing Harkins to score and runners advanced to second and third with just one out. Marks escaped the inning allowing just one run after getting Rolando Fajardo to fly out to shallow left and followed by getting Blandon Hancock to groundout. PJ Trevino retired in the Pilots in order in the bottom of the 8th which set the stage for David Wasylak to come in and close out the contest. Quenton Shamsabody delivered a shot to deep right-center field that was caught at the wall denying a late Pilot rally. Wasylak completed the inning retiring the Pilots in order to pick up his first save of the year and preserved a 6-5 win for the Chaps.
The two teams will square off again tomorrow night at Pilot Field with the first pitch scheduled for 6:30pm, weather permitting.
Catch LSUS Baseball Action Live With Mark Cantrell
FEBRUARY 02, 2006
The voice of the Pilots, Mark Cantrell is back for the 2006 season. Cantrell will be available for tonight's broadcast against the Lubbock Christian Chaps which is scheduled for 6:30pm.
Please visit www.lsus.edu/baseball/ for the broadcast link.
FIRST PITCH TONIGHT: LSUS VS LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN:
BY CHRISSY CHIRI
FEBRUARY 02, 2006
It’s true that preseason polls don’t count for anything because they are just that – preseason. However, it’s better to be ranked than not and the LSUS Pilots baseball team are glad to be in the group.
The Pilots, who will throw their first pitch of the season tonight at 6:30 p.m., were placed fourteenth in the nation in the preseason NAIA polls. The team, which is coming off a 43-21 record last season, advanced to the regional tournament in the playoffs but were defeated by Lee University to end their season in the double-elimination tournament.
Tonight they will take on Lubbock Christian University at LSUS and hope to get off to a winning record. Conference play is right around the corner as well, beginning on Feb. 24.
Offensively the Pilots are counting on being just as strong as last year with threats like Dusty Maddox and Dustin Bissonnette at the plate. Maddox and Bissonnette were both named to the All-Region team last year, and Bissonnette was the Gulf Coast Atlantic Conference Player of the Year. He also broke the LSUS hit record by totaling 99.
“I feel good at the plate right now, and I think I’ve gotten smarter mentally. I’m looking forward to playing this year again,” Bissonnette, a senior financial analysis major said. Bryan Cooksey and Riley Cook are also being counted on for offensive production and to be strong on defense. Shortstop Brandon Magierowski will be looked upon for his outstanding defensive presence and new player Tyler Williams is a positive addition to the squad.
“We look real good in the outfield and have our infield rounded out with some great guys, so we should we be good defensively, as well as at the plate. We’ve got a nice line-up,” head coach Rocke Musgraves said.
Like most baseball teams, whether it be in high school, college or the major leagues, pitching is always an area that could use improvement. But the Pilots are hoping they have enough of it this year to take them back to the World Series where they were three years ago.
“We’re just not road-tested yet,” Musgraves said about his pitching staff. “We don’t have a lot of experience on the mound.”
Returners Kevin Jewell, Tyler Lewis and Luis Roberts will need to have good outings as pitchers. Daniel Welch, who pitched for his team as a freshman in the World Series, will be back this year after sitting out a year on a medical redshirt due to having Tommy John surgery. Along with the returnees, Northeast Texas Community College transfer Matt Clayman is ready to step up and give his team some good innings off the mound.
“I think we have the ability to be ranked higher than we are if the pitchers step up to the challenge of a national championship. We have to be consistent, but we have an unbelievable team,” Clayman, a junior mass communication major said.
Closer Kris Marks will need to have good innings and finish up what his starters have begun as well.
If the Pilots can get their usual offensive production, good defense and strong pitching, then their preseason rankings will become a fact and not just an estimation.