Pilots Unveil 2008 Baseball Schedule

NOVEMBER 16, 2007

Shreveport, La. - LSUS baseball head coach Rocke Musgraves announced the Pilots 2008 schedule Friday. The 55- game regular season slate includes 30 games at Pilot Field, including a non-conference doubleheader versus the NAIA Preseason #18 Texas Wesleyan Rams on Mar. 4.

"I am extremely excited about the schedule that we have been able to put together for the 2008 season," said Musgraves. "Our non-conference schedule features NCAA Division-1 Houston Baptist University, NCAA Division-2 perennial power Southern Arkansas and a home-and-away doubleheader with Texas Wesleyan who is ranked #18 in the NAIA."

The Pilots open the 2008 season with eight consecutive road games, starting with a three-game conference series Jan. 26-27 against Loyola in New Orleans. The Pilots will then travel to Mobile Feb. 1-2 for three more games against a GCAC opponent, Spring Hill College.

"The GCAC will be as tough as ever, which will make for a very challenging opening week for our baseball team," added Musgraves. "It's tough enough to start the season on the road, much less beginning it with two conference opponents on their home turf. It definitely adds excitement to the start of the season, knowing that you are playing for a conference title right out of the gate."

Following the two conference series to open the season, the Pilots will face NCAA Division-1 newcomer Houston Baptist University in a doubleheader on Feb. 5. The HBU Huskies, formerly of the NAIA, finished last season 43-21 and advanced to the semifinals of the NAIA World Series.

The Pilots open up their 2008 home schedule with a 12 game home stand, beginning with the 2007 GCAC regular season champion Belhaven Blazers on Feb. 8-9. Louisiana College will visit Pilot Field on Feb. 12, while Tougaloo College will come to Shreveport for a three-game conference weekend series versus the Pilots on Feb. 15-16. A non-conference doubleheader with perennial NCAA Division-2 power Southern Arkansas (Feb. 19) and a three-game series with LSU- Alexandria (Feb. 22-23) round out the home stand.

Following the home stand, the Pilots will travel to Hattiesburg for three games versus conference rival William Carey University (Feb. 29-Mar. 1).

After a brief visit to Pilot Field by the aforementioned Texas Wesleyan Rams, the Pilots will once again hit the road for another GCAC weekend series. The University of Mobile will host the Pilots for one game on Friday and two more games on Saturday, Mar. 8.

The Pilots return to Shreveport for a six-game home stand that includes two GCAC rematches versus Loyola on Mar. 15- 16 and Spring Hill on Mar. 21-26, but not before the LSUS Alumni game on Friday, Mar. 14.

On Mar. 25, LSUS will travel down I-49 to face LSUA for the fourth and fifth time on the 2008 season, before returning home the next day to play Texas College of the Red River Conference. The Pilots will then begin an eight-game road swing at Belhaven on Mar. 28-29 for what could be a very pivotal GCAC weekend series in determining this year's conference champion.

Following the always tough conference series with Belhaven, things don't get any easier for the Pilots on the road as they travel to Fort Worth for a doubleheader versus Texas Wesleyan on Apr. 1. LSUS will conclude the road swing after three games at Tougaloo on Apr. 4-5.

LSUS will play host to Wiley College on Apr. 8 and travel to Pineville on Apr. 14 for another game with Louisiana College before returning home to close out the regular season with eight consecutive games at Pilot Field.

The Pilots will begin the home stand with another three-game series versus the William Carey Crusaders on Apr. 18-19. Northwood University will visit for a doubleheader on Apr. 22, with the University of Mobile coming in for the final conference series of the season on Apr. 25-26.

The 2008 GCAC Tournament is scheduled for Apr. 30-May 3 in Mobile.

The 2008 Region XIII Tournament will begin on May 6 at a site to be determined.

Pilots Ranked #11 in NAIA Preseason Baseball Poll

NOVEMBER 15, 2007

Shreveport, La. - On Wednesday, the NAIA released its 2007-08 NAIA Preseason Baseball Top 25 poll with the LSUS Pilots entering the 2008 season ranked #11.

In 2007, LSUS captured the GCAC tournament title and advanced to the Region XIII tournament. The Pilots finished the season with an overall record of 40-15 and were ranked #21 in the final 2007 Top 25 poll.

LSUS enters the 2008 season with high expectations as they look to build on the program's success over the last several years.

The Pilots will begin the 2008 season on the road in a conference match-up with Loyola-New Orleans on January 26.

A complete 2008 season schedule and 2008 team roster will be released later this week.

LSUS Baseball Mourns the Loss of Dr. Robert Boston

OCTOBER 16, 2007

Shreveport, La. - Dr. Robert "Doc" Boston, a mentor and consultant for the LSUS baseball team, passed away late Monday evening due to respiratory failure. Doc was a beloved member of the LSUS baseball program who sacrificed many hours per day to spend time with what he called "his boys." Doc spoke words of encouragment and advice to the LSUS baseball team before every practice and every game.

"Doc Boston touched our baseball family in so many ways," commented LSUS Head Baseball Coach Rocke Musgraves. "His love for young athletes and our entire baseball team was completely unselfish. To put it simply, he made us all better people."

A memorial service to honor and remember Doc's life and the impact he made in so many athletes' lives will take place at 2:00 P.M on Monday, October 22. The service will be held at Springs of Grace Baptist Church in Shreveport.

Doc Boston was 81 years old.

Summer Roundup: Baseball

AUGUST 10, 2007

Over the past six years, the LSUS baseball team has averaged over 40 wins a season. During that period, the Pilot program has seen its teams advance to a College World Series, win a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular season and tournament title, and have 23 players selected as a GCAC All-Conference performer. The recent success on the baseball diamond for the Pilots is a direct reflection of all the hard work and time each LSUS player and coach puts in during the off-season. If this summer is any indication of things to come at LSUS, expect more championships!

The following stories are just a few updates on what several current and former Pilots have been doing this summer:

Summer Baseball a Success for Several Pilot Players – In case you didn’t know, baseball is a year-round sport! For members of the LSUS Pilot baseball team, it all begins in the fall at LSUS, and then it ends somewhere late in the summer. That somewhere for several Pilot players includes: Wichita, Kansas; Jackson, Mississippi; Minden, Louisiana; and even Alberta, Canada.

Pilot first baseman Quenton Shamsabady competed this summer for the Wichita Wheat Kings of the Walter Johnson League. Shamsabady had a very productive summer at the plate, leading the league in batting average (.368). Shamsabady was also selected as an All-league performer by the coaches.

Current Pilots Josh Todd and Jacob Watkins played their summer ball for the Gametime Rockies. The Gametime Rockies were a first-year summer team that competed in the Cotton States Collegiate League, and they were coached by former Captain Shreve Head Coach Ronnie Coker. The Rockies won the regular season league championship, and advanced to the championship game of the regional tournament. Todd and Watkins were also joined on the team by two members of the Pilots’ 2008 signing class, Craig Barnes (University of Louisiana - Monroe) and Joey Ford (Northeast Texas CC). The Pilot baseball team was also represented this summer outside of the United States. Pilot first baseman Brian Stebbings played for the Okotoks Dawgs of the Western Major Baseball League in Alberta, Canada. Stebbings, a native of Canada, made the trek to Alberta this summer to play in a highly competitive baseball league with hopes that it will pay off for him in the fall.

Pilots in Professional Baseball – May 9, 2007 marked the end of several former LSUS Pilots collegiate baseball careers. However, due in large part to their success in a Pilot uniform, four members of the 2007 LSUS baseball team have continued their playing careers by signing professional contracts. Former Pilot third baseman Bryan Cooksey signed with the Shreveport Sports of the American Association of Independent Baseball League shortly after the Pilots were eliminated from the Region XIII baseball tournament. Joining Cooksey as members of the local professional baseball club were former Pilot pitchers Matt Clayman and Daniel Welch. Although they are just rookies, Clayman and Welch are both considered to be two of the best pitchers on the Sports’ staff.

On June 15, former Pilot center fielder Chris Frye signed a professional contract with the Houston Astros. Frye, a 2007 All-Conference performer at LSUS, is currently playing for the Tri-City Valley Cats in Troy, New York. Frye is hitting over .280 in his last ten games for the Class A Houston Astros affiliate.

Other former Pilots in professional baseball are Derek Cunningham (’05) and Dusty Maddox (’06). Both are also on the Shreveport Sports roster for the 2007 season. Cunningham has played for the Sports since he finished his career at LSUS in 2005. Maddox joined the Sports last season, but has been sidelined with injuries throughout most of his brief professional career.

Former Pilots Making Waves in the Coaching Ranks – In other baseball news this summer, former LSUS Assistant Baseball Coach and Sports Information Director Al Cantwell has been named the new head baseball coach at C.E. Byrd High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. Cantwell enters his new position after serving five seasons as an assistant to LSUS Head Baseball Coach Rocke Musgraves. According to Musgraves, “Al has a great feel for the offensive side of baseball. His base-running instincts and ability to teach base-running propelled us to lead the conference in stolen bases five straight seasons.” Based on Cantwell’s previous playing and coaching experiences, along with his infectious personality, there is no doubt that the Byrd High baseball program’s future is in good hands.

Joining Cantwell on the Byrd baseball coaching staff is Ramsey Branch, also a former Pilot baseball player. Branch and Cantwell were both members of the Pilot baseball team in 2002, and they will reunite for the 2008 high school baseball season.

Another former Pilot player, Justin Gibbons, has accepted a head coaching position at a high school in southern Texas. Gibbons was a member of the 2003 and 2004 LSUS baseball teams, and he graduated from LSUS in 2004 with a degree in physical education.

Finally, after finishing his season for the Shreveport Sports, Daniel Welch will spend the off-season as a member of the LSUS baseball coaching staff. Welch will serve the Pilots as a pitching coach on Coach Musgraves’ 2008 staff. Welch, a Bossier City native, remains part of the LSUS baseball program after playing for the Pilots from 2003-2007. Pilots Baseball success continues despite disappointing finish

MAY 15, 2007

Shreveport, LA---In 2007, the LSUS Pilots posted a 40-15 overall record, marking the highest ever winning percentage (.727) in a single season in LSUS Baseball history. Such an accomplishment may be overshadowed for the moment after back-to-back losses in the NAIA Region XIII Tournament to Southern Polytechnic University and Auburn University- Montgomery ended the Pilots ultimate goal of returning to the NAIA College World Series. But, the fact remains, the Pilots are continuing their growth as a perennial NAIA powerhouse.

“When you set such high expectations and goals as we do at LSUS, anything short of a national championship is disappointing. We know we had the talent to do some special things on the field this year, and we did. It just didn’t finish the way we would have liked it to,” commented Pilots senior right fielder and 2007 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner Colin Moro.

The Pilots string of consecutive Region XIII Championship Game appearances in 2005 and 2006 was snapped after dropping an 8-6 decision to the AUM Senators last Wednesday. The loss put the end to what was a very exciting and successful season for the Pilots senior class which was highlighted by the Pilots 2nd consecutive Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament Championship.

“Looking back on the season that was, we did a lot of great things. We grinded out some very tough victories against nationally ranked teams like Oklahoma City, Houston Baptist, and even did very well against NCAA opponents,” commented Pilots senior shortstop Brandon Magierowski.

LSUS finished the year with a 7-1 overall record against NCAA opponents, a resume which was highlighted by a 17-11 victory over the University of Louisiana-Monroe.

“Two games do not define our season or our team. We fought hard and left it all on the field. We won our 2nd GCAC Tournament which is a huge accomplishment for this program. And if you take out one play from either ball game at the regional tournament, we may still be playing right now,” concluded Magierowski.

Such is the case for three of the Pilots 12 seniors who will continue their playing careers at the professional level. All- GCAC and 1st-Team Region XIII selection Chris Frye signed with the Houston Astros Monday morning, and will pursue his playing career with the Tri-City Valley Cats in Troy, NY.

Matt Clayman finished the year 10-1 overall for the Pilots and was selected as the GCAC Pitcher of the Year. The hard throwing right hander was signed by the Shreveport Sports of the American Association of Independent Baseball Monday afternoon. Teammate Bryan Cooksey, a four year starter at third base for the Pilots was also signed by the Sports Monday. They will join former Pilots teammates Derrick Cunningham and Dusty Maddox on the Sports 2007 roster.

Pilots outfielder inks contract with Houston Astros

MAY 15, 2007

Minden, LA---Five years ago, Minden High School 2nd-Team All-District selection Chris Frye made the decision to accept the opportunity to walk on as an outfielder at Louisiana State University in Shreveport under Head Coach Rocke Musgraves. Monday morning, Frye was presented with a minor league contract by Houston Astros Area Scout, James Farrar, which he signed in the presence of his family members, friends, and former coaches.

Frye began his playing career at LSUS in 2003. As a freshman, he started seven games and posted a .250 batting average in 48 at-bats. Coach Musgraves knew he would be a threat for the Pilots in the years to come after a solid freshman campaign which was highlighted by a 2-for-3 in pinch-hitting performance at the 2003 NAIA College World Series.

“Chris has that intangible that you can’t teach, “want to”. He plays the game with a fierce intensity that has been a joy to coach. When you combine his determination with his speed and power, you have got to predict he has a shot to do very well at the next level,” commented Musgraves.

In 2006, Frye was confronted with one of his toughest challenges while at LSUS, and he faced it head on, while making it one of his greatest accomplishments. Frye was selected to red shirt his senior season, postponing his senior year as a Pilot to 2007. During his red shirt season, under the guidance of Dr. Kyle Pierce and graduate assistant Josh Redden, Frye became a member of the USA Olympic Weight Training Center at LSUS. His dedication to the training program has made Frye a potential five tool player on the baseball field, and is a testament to his character.

“My training routine under the guidance of Dr. Pierce and Josh Redden allowed me to play the game at a higher level than I ever had. I believe I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to play the game of baseball, and to have been part of such a quality program as LSUS which is why I dedicated that year to trying to become the absolute best player I could be,” commented Frye.

As the lone remaining position player from the 2003 NAIA World Series roster, his experience and athletic ability led the Pilots to a 40-15 overall record in 2007, marking the universities highest ever winning percentage of .727, and included the Pilots 2nd Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament Championship in as many years.

His offensive presence led to 1st-Team All-GCAC and 1st-Team Region XIII Selections after posting .325 batting average. After 197 at bats , Frye led the Pilots in runs (46), doubles (16), triples (9), homeruns (7), RBI (48), and stolen bases (30-for-32). Frye’s nine triples in 2007 set a new LSUS Single Season Record, and he is now the LSUS Career Record holder in the triple department with 17.

As the 2007 season progressed, Frye’s ability sparked the interest of area scout Farrar who has been part of the Astros organization since 1990. Farrar’s first stint with the organization dates back to the early 1960’s during the time of the Colt 45’s. “I am very proud of the progression Chris has shown and I believe he will be a valuable asset to the Astros organization. He has all the tools he needs along with a true love of the game which he needs in order to be successful. He will have to make the adjustments of playing with a wood bat and the every day grind of a minor league schedule, but I expect he will do very well,” commented Farrar.

The next step for the Minden native will commence Thursday when he will travel to Kissimmee, FL where he will take part in extended spring training with the Tri-City Valley Cats whose season begins June 19th in Troy, NY.

“This all just feels so surreal. I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to continue doing what I love, which is playing the game of baseball. I have been very fortunate to have had the guidance and love of my family, friends and coaches throughout my life which has allowed me to continue following my dream,” concluded Frye.

Pilots Win Championship With Slugfest Victory Over Crusaders

MAY 06, 2007

MOBILE, Ala-- After pulling out a pitching duel at 2:00 am Saturday morning to move on to the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championship game, the LSU-Shreveport Pilots pulled out a slugfest 11-8 to topple the William Carey University Crusaders and win the 2007 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament. One inning after the Crusaders took a 1-0 lead on a 2-out RBI double from Pat Burch, the Pilots answered in a big way with a 6-run 3rd inning. The damage started when the first 4 batters reached base. Bryan Cooksey and Bryan Stebbings singled, and Andrew Blubaugh drew a walk to load the bases for a 2-run Quinton Shamsabody single.

Following a pop out to the pitcher, Chris Frye continued the hit paraded with a run-scoring base hit to left. After a walk forced in a run, LSUS catcher Brent Lavallee put a cap on the score-fest with a 2-run single.

The Crusaders quickly made up for the porous inning, with 4 2-out tallies to pull within 1 in the top of the 4th. Burch struck again with 2 outs, delivering a 2-run single and 4 batters later, Pat Barnes delivered a 2-out 2-run single of his own to make it a ball game.

The victorious Pilots followed up their 6-run explosion with a 3-spot in the 6th to do most of their damage on the game. In that inning, the Pilots took advantage of a pair of Crusader errors and got RBIs from Colin Moro and Chris Frye to gain some breathing room.

William Carey pulled closer with a 2-run home run from David Trisler in the 7th and had a chance late to tie the game. LSUS called on Matt Clayman to close out the 11-8 ball game in the 9th inning, and the righty promptly allowed 3 straight singles to lead off the frame and load the bases with 0 outs. But, the All-GCAC pitcher settled down and got a strike out and double play ball to clinch the victory. Although the Pilots won, the star of the day was William Carey’s Trisler, who finished 5-for-5 with 3 runs scored and his 2- run homer. Martin Roark and Steven Johnson added 3-hit efforts to help pace the Crusader attack that pounded out 19 hits. Pat Burch finished with a 2-for-5 performance and 3 2-out RBIs.

The Pilots used a balanced attack at the plate, as the 1-8 hitters all recorded a hit and, all but 1 drove in at least 1 run on the ball game. Shamsabody led the way in the RBI column with 3 on the afternoon, while Moro, Frye, Talley and Cooksey all delivered 2-hit performances at the plate. Frye and Lavallee finished with 2 RBIs apiece.

Paul Marlow picked up the win for the Pilots by going 3 innings out of the bullpen and striking out 3, with 2 runs allowed.

Pilots Move Closer to Title, Oust Rams

MAY 06, 2007

MOBILE, Ala—The Louisiana State University Shreveport Pilots eliminated the University of Mobile baseball team from the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament with a 5-0 victory. LSU-S rode a dominant pitching performance from Mark Dainty and got some early runs to move one step closer to the GCAC Tournament Championship. They will play William Carey University Saturday at 2:00 and will have two chances if need be to beat the Crusaders once.

Dainty took the mound for the #2 seed Pilots and dazzled, twirling 9 shutout innings and fanning 8 Ram batters. The righty held the Mobile bats to only 2 singles through the first 8 innings of play, before the Rams touched him for a double and 2 base hits in the final frame.

Dainty got the better of Kyle McPherson who went 7 solid innings for the Rams, giving up 5 runs and fanning 2. The 6’5 junior got some help from the Pilots offense early and quickly settled in on the mound.

The Pilots struck first in the game thanks to a lead off double from Quinton Shamsabody. After the double, a fly ball moved the 1st baseman to 3rd and a wild pitch from Rams’ starter Kyle McPherson plated him for the early 1-0 LSUS edge.

LSUS tacked on 2 more in the bottom of the 2nd when Andrew Blubaugh delivered the 3rd single of the inning, a 2-run base knock to right center field. Scott Talley and Brent Lavallee tacked on RBIs in the bottom of the 8th to put the game away

Six run 3rd inning propels Pilots to 7-5 win over Rams

MAY 04, 2007

Mobile, AL---Quenton Shamsabady belted a one out double in the top of the 3rd inning which sparked a six run LSUS Pilots (38-13) rally against the University of Mobile Rams. UM cut the lead to 7-5 after scoring three in the 7th inning, and escaped a 9th inning jam via a triple play. Reliever Kevin Jewell however tossed a scoreless bottom of the 9th as the Pilots held on for a 7-5 victory, and remain as the only undefeated team in the Gulf Coast Athletic Coneference Tournament.

Jesse Luker (6-7) took the mound for the Rams Thursday night looking to repeat his two hit performance against the Pilots in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular season finale in which his Rams handed the Pilots a 7-1 defeat. Luker coasted through the first two innings, but a Shamsabady double with one out in the 3rd inning proved to be the spark the Pilots offense needed.

LSUS used three hits, three walks, and three stolen bases en route to a six run outburst.

“I think we used every tool we have in our offensive tool box in that 3rd inning. I was very proud to see us execute everything we have worked so hard on all year,” commented Pilots Head Coach Rocke Musgraves.

The Pilots had a chance to put the game out of reach in the 4th but squandered a bases loaded opportunity with a costly base running mistake. The Rams carried their defensive momentum to the plate and scored two runs which were highlighted by a two RBI single by Kyle McPherson to cut the lead to 6-2.

Rams reliever Johan Sanchez held the Pilots offense at bay until the 7th when Brent Lavallee belted his second double of the game down the left field line. Bryan Cooksey followed with a bunt single which had runners at the corners with no out. Sanchez however responded with back-to-back strikeouts, but a bunt single from Shamsabady down the third base line plated the Pilots 7th run of the night.

The relentless Rams however capitalized on three Pilot errors in the bottom of the frame to score three runs and cut the lead to 7-5.

“That is not characteristic of this ball club. We took an inning off mentally and it cost us. Fortunately, Kevin Jewell came in and got us out of the inning. The way Kevin competes on the mound gives our guys a big lift upstairs and they play with a lot of confidence when he is on the mound,” concluded Musgraves.

After a scoreless 8th inning, the Pilots took their 7-5 lead into the 9th and threatened to add an insurance run after the first two hitters reached safely. A sacrifice bunt attempt from Shamsabady was popped in the air to Rams catcher Ryan Liebe. Liebe caught the ball for the first out, and then delivered a strike to second baseman Jared Baria. Baria then fired a throw to first baseman Zack Mann to catch the Pilots base runners and cap a triple play.

With all the excitement and energy in the air from the triple play, everyone in the ball park could sense a Rams comeback. Liebe led off the inning with a shallow fly to right field which was caught by Colin Moro who made an excellent sliding effort to take away a leadoff hit. After a fly out by John Wood, Jared Baria singled to center to keep the inning alive. Jewell however enticed a ground out to third from Brett Barber for the third out and the Pilots hung on for a 7-5 victory. Pilots All-GCAC starting pitcher Daniel Welch (8-1) earned the victory after allowing two runs on four hits while striking out eight in 6.0 innings of work. Shamsabady, Stebbings, Lavallee, and Chris Frye each collected two hits to lead the Pilots offensively.

With the victory the Pilots are the only undefeated team in the GCAC Tournament. They will advance in the winner’s bracket where they will wait until 7:00pm to play the winner of the Spring Hill College against UM contest which is scheduled for 12:00pm Friday.

Pilots place four on GCAC All-Conference Team

MAY 03, 2007

The LSUS Pilots have posted a 36-13 overall record thus far in 2007 and have earned a guaranteed birth in their third consecutive Region XIII Tournament. With team goals and accomplishments being the focal point at this point in the season, some individual performances by five LSUS athletes have been recognized by the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. Brent Lavallee, Chris Frye, Daniel Welch, and Matt Clayman were announced to the 2007 GCAC 1st-Team All-Conference selections. In addition, Colin Moro was selected as a 2007 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner.

#18 Colin Moro

RF—6’0—195—3rd-Year Senior—Calgary, Alberta (St. Francis HS)

Moro is a versatile player who could play anywhere in the outfield, but has become the best right fielder in LSUS history. He has the best throwing arm in the outfield which he uses as a weapon; it is both strong and accurate, which deters opponents from taking advantage of extra base opportunities. Moro has posted a .980 fielding percentage and has collected an LSUS single season record eight assists. Moro has also become the career outfield assist leader at LSUS with 14.

#39 Brent Lavallee

C—6’1—225—3rd-Junior—North Delta, British Columbia (Seaquam Secondary HS)

Lavallee has become the backbone of the Pilot pitching staff. While he has yet to throw a pitch in his career at LSUS, he has gained the confidence of the pitchers to throw any pitch at any time, and they expect “Lavs” to be able to handle it. His competitive spirit allows him to log a lot of innings. He has started 37 games behind the plate this season in which he has thrown out 6-of-37 base runners and has posted a .981 fielding percentage. Offensively, Lavallee has posted a .277 batting average which includes six homeruns, 10 doubles, and 28 RBI.

#10 Chris Frye

CF—6’0—205—5th-Year Senior—Minden, Louisiana (Minden HS) This is Frye’s second GCAC All-Conference selection. He was voted All-Conference as a sophomore in 2004. In 2007, Frye has led the Pilots offense all season with a powerful performance at the plate while developing into the best center fielder in the GCAC. Frye leads the Pilots offense in nearly all categories which includes: runs (41); doubles (14); triples (7); homeruns (7); RBI (42); slugging percentage (.601); and stolen bases (25-of-26).

#29 Daniel Welch

RHP—6’3—180—5th-Year Senior—Bossier City, LA (Parkway HS)

Two years after undergoing successful Tommy John surgery, Welch has made the best of his second chance to pitch for the Pilots. His 7-1 record includes victories over No.2 Oklahoma City University; No. 9 Belhaven College; and Lindenwood University. In 57.1 innings pitched this season, Welch has held opponents to a .249 batting average while posting a 2.98ERA. He has struck out 48 batters while walking just 14. Welch’s numbers along with his leadership have been an instrumental part of Pilots success this season.

#31 Matthew Clayman

RHP—6’1—190—2nd-Year Senior—Georgetown, TX (Georgetown HS)

Clayman has developed into a legitimate professional baseball prospect. His ability to pitch at 90+MPH to compliment a major league caliber slider has earned him the 2007 GCAC Pitcher of the Year Award. His perfect 9-0 record this year was the reason the Pilots went undefeated on Friday night’s through the 2007 season. In a team leading 79.0 innings of work, he has held opponents to a .188 batting average and has posted a 2.62ERA. He has struck out 81 batters and tossed two complete games. Clayman also collected two saves against the No.2 OCU Stars. His athleticism on the mound also led him to a 2007 Rawlings Gold Glove Award.

LSUS opens GCAC Tournament with 9-3 victory over Wolfpack

MAY 03, 2007

Mobile, AL---Chris Frye belted a bases loaded triple to right-center field in the top of the 3rd inning to open the scoring in game one of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Tournament between the LSUS Pilots (37-13) and the Loyola University Wolfpack. The Pilots added a single run in the 4th and two more in the 5th stretching their lead to 6-0, and coasted to a 9- 3 opening round victory.

“Overall we played a very solid baseball game. We were able to get a lot of player’s in the game to get their tournament jitters out which I think will help a lot over the next couple of weeks. Our bullpen did an outstanding job of throwing strikes and challenging hitters with the lead,” commented Pilots Head Coach Rocke Musgraves. Leading 4-0 heading into the 5th, the Pilots took advantage of a misplayed grounder by Wolfpack shortstop Andy Rodriguez. Frye promptly stole his first of four bases on the day which was followed by a walk to designated hitter Scott Talley, marking the end for starter Thomas Gibbs.

Brandon Magierowski belted an RBI single to right field off reliever Stephen Ratasky, and Talley later scored on a sacrifice fly to right field from Brent Lavallee giving the Pilots a 6-0 lead.

“We did a good job against Gibbs who held us to just two runs earlier in the season. I saw a lot of guys trying to use the middle of the field, and we were also very effective with the “small ball” part of our offense,” said Musgraves.

Loyola threatened in the 5th inning loading the bases with no out. Pilots starter Matt Clayman however struck out Kevin Fontenot for the first out, which was followed by an RBI fielder’s choice from Rodriguez making the score 6-1. Brian Mason flew out to right field for the third out of the inning.

“I didn’t feel great out there today as far as arm strength, but I was able to locate and use my slider effectively which kept them off balance and made for some quick innings,” commented Clayman.

Clayman completed 5.0 innings of work in which he allowed one run on four hits while walking two and striking out three. Magierowski and Quenton Shamsabady each collected two hits and combined for two runs scored and three RBI. Bryan Cooksey returned to the Pilots starting lineup for the first time in two weeks due to injury and delivered two hits for the Pilots including a leadoff double in the 9th inning.

With the victory the Pilots advanced to Round II of the tournament where they will square off against the University of Mobile Rams who defeated the William Carey College Crusaders 10-7 Wednesday afternoon.

LSUS will send senior right hander Daniel Welch (7-1) to the mound for Thursday’s contest. Welch held the Rams to just one run last weekend en route to a 6-1 victory. Game time is slated for 7:00pm.

Pilots split double-header with Rams

APRIL 28, 2007

Shreveport, LA---Daniel Welch (7-1) held the University of Mobile Rams (25-30, 15-15) to just one run through six innings as the LSUS Pilots (36-13, 21-9) went on to a 6-1 victory in game one Saturday afternoon. In game two the Rams offense finally broke out in a big way after scoring just one run in the weekends first two games. The Rams scored three runs in the top of the 1st inning and never looked back as they went on to avoid the series sweep with a 7-1 victory.

The Pilots broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the 5th after David Bradley belted his first collegiate homerun deep over the right field fence of Rams starter Kyle McPherson. The Pilots followed with three more runs to stretch their lead to 5-1, and added a solo run in the 6th for a 6-1 victory. McPherson (1-6) suffered the loss after allowing five runs on seven hits while issuing three walks and striking out four. Carlos Romero hit a solo-homerun in the 5th inning and John Wood added two hits to lead the Rams offense.

Welch completed 6.0 innings of work and lowered his season ERA to 2.98 with the victory. He scattered five hits and one walk while striking out two. Scott Talley and Quenton Shamsabady each collected two hits while Bradley finished 1-for-2 with two runs scored.

In game two Brett Barber belted a two RBI triple down the right field line in the top of the 1st inning of Pilots starter Cory Keener (0-1) giving the Rams an early 2-0 lead. Barber later scored on a Joey Mooney fielder’s choice extending the lead to 3-0.

Three runs would be all Rams starter Jesse Luker (6-6) would need on this day as he held the Pilots to just two hits over 7.0 innings. The Pilots added their lone run in the bottom of the 8th off Rams reliever Justin Bracewell in the 7-1 defeat.

Romero led the Rams with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate which included his second homerun of the series. Barber finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBI.

Pilots senior Chris Frye collected two of the Pilots five hits and drove in the lone LSUS run with a single in the 8th. David McGhee finished 1-for-3 with a run scored.

Saturday’s contests concluded the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular season which sets the stage for the GCAC Tournament which begins next Wednesday in Mobile, AL. The Pilots have earned the No. 2 seed in the tournament and are scheduled to play Loyola University Wednesday afternoon at 12:00pm.

Pilots romp Rams 10-0 in seven innings

APRIL 27, 2007

Shreveport, LA---The combination of timely hitting, stingy defense, and a dominant pitching performance by Matt Clayman (9-0) was the recipe for a 10-0 LSUS Pilots (35-12, 20-8 GCAC) victory Friday night over the University of Mobile Rams (24-29, 14-14 GCAC).

Pilots shortstop Brandon Magierowski collected his first of three hits on the night in the bottom of the 2nd inning with a single to left field. Rams starting pitcher Ross Black (6-7) followed by hitting Bryan Stebbings, and then allowed an infield bunt single to Andrew Blubaugh. Rams first baseman Daniel Harper missed the rushed throw attempt which allowed Magierowski and Stebbings to score on the play.

The Pilots added another run in the inning after Chris Frye belted a bases loaded sacrifice fly to center which scored Blubaugh from third to extend the lead to 3-0. LSUS took advantage of two Rams errors and back-to-back singles by Scott Talley and Magierowski in the bottom of the 3rd inning by scoring three runs to stretch their lead to 6-0.

Clayman remained perfect through three innings but allowed an infield single to Rams leadoff hitter Milton Roque to begin the 4th. With his first pitch out of the stretch Clayman hit Jared Baria, but escaped the inning without any further damage after Roque was thrown out at third base, Brett Barber flew out to center field, and Carlos Romero went down swinging to end the inning.

Pilots senior center fielder Chris Frye doubled to left in the 4th and later scored on an RBI single from Talley. Frye added an RBI triple in the 5th which scored Moro from first base, and scored on an RBI fielders choice from catcher Brent Lavallee stretching the Pilots lead to 9-0.

Paul Marlow came on in relief of Clayman in the 7th and managed to hold the Rams to just one hit in the inning.

In the bottom half of the 7th, Magierowski singled to center and advanced to second base one pitch later on a ball in the dirt. David McGhee then followed with an RBI single to right field giving the Pilots a 10-0 lead, enforcing the 10-run mercy rule to come into effect.

Ross suffered the loss after allowing nine runs on 11 hits while walking three and striking out four. Zack Mann was the lone Rams hitter to collect two hits on the night which included a double to left field in the 7th inning.

With the victory the Pilots remained undefeated on Friday night’s this season. Clayman improved to 9-0 on the year after completing six scoreless innings which lowered his ERA to 2.62. He allowed five hits and issued just one walk while striking out three.

Magierowski lifted his team leading batting average to .364 with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate and scored three runs. Moro, Frye and Talley each added two hits a piece.

The two teams will meet again tomorrow afternoon at Pilots Field in double-header action which will conclude the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular season. Game one is scheduled for 1:00pm.

Pilots suffer second Saturday sweep by Blazers

APRIL 23, 2007

The LSUS Pilots (34-12, 19-8) took game one of this weekends three game series against the No. 9 Belhaven College Blazers (38-13, 21-6) by a final score of 7-2. But just like the first time these two teams met, the Blazers used solid pitching performances from Thomas Royals (6-3) and Paul Faulkenberry (8-1) to shut down the Pilots offense en route to a double-header sweep Saturday afternoon with 3-0 and 5-1 victories. LSUS used a complete game victory by Matt Clayman (8-0) Friday night to take game one 7-2. In game two, Royals tossed a complete game shutout victory. The Blazers scored three runs in the bottom of the 6th after Shawn Anderson blooped a bases loaded single into center field which cleared the bases for a 3-0 lead.

BC built an early 4-0 lead in game three and never looked back. Faulkenberry held the Pilots scoreless through six innings before a wild pitch allowed David McGhee to score from third base which accounted for the Pilots lone run on the afternoon.

The Blazers are now just one win away from clinching their second consecutive Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championship. The combination of a Blazers win against the Spring Hill College Badgers or a Pilots loss against the University of Mobile this upcoming weekend will give BC not only their 2nd straight GCAC title, but they will also earn the right to host the NAIA Region XIII Tournament.

Pilots climb their way back into NAIA Top 25

APRIL 19, 2007

At 33-10 overall and just one game behind the No. 9 Belhaven College Blazers (36-12, 19-5 GCAC) in the race for the 2007 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championship, the LSUS Pilots (18-6 GCAC) have fought their way back into the NAIA Top 25.

The No. 25 Pilots have posted a 12-2 record over their last 14 games which was highlighted by a nine game GCAC winning streak, and a 17-11 victory over NCAA Division I opponent, University of Louisiana-Monroe.

With just six regular season conference games left, the Pilots still hold their GCAC Championship hopes in their own hands. The Pilots will travel to Jackson, MS this upcoming weekend to take on the Blazers in a three game series. Game one will begin Friday night at 6:00pm which will be followed by a double-header on Saturday beginning at 1:00pm.

Fans who are unable to attend this weekends much anticipated series can listen to all the live action with the voices of the Pilots, Mark Cantrell and Chris Porche, at www.lsus.edu/baseball.

OLATHE, Kan. - Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) remained atop the NAIA Baseball Top 25 with 498 points and 18 first-place votes, followed by Azusa Pacific (Calif.), Oklahoma City, Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) and St. Thomas (Fla.) in an unchanged top five to this week's Top 25 rating.

Spring Arbor (Mich.) leads of the Top 10's second half, moving two spots into the No. 6 position, followed by Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.), Tennessee Wesleyan, Belhaven (Miss.) and Bellevue (Neb.). Belhaven is the only newcomer to the Top 10, moving in after spending last week at No. 11. Three unranked teams climbed in, led by Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) at No. 23 and Dickinson State (N.D.) at No. 24. LSU- Shreveport enters in a No. 25 tie with Avila (Mo.). One large drop occurred, as Lubbock Christian (Texas) fell from No. 10 to No. 19, while Warner Southern (Fla.) moved from No. 19 to No. 15.

RANK LAST WEEK SCHOOL 1ST PLACE VOTES RECORD POINTS 1 1 Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) (I) 18 34-3 498 2 2 Azusa Pacific (Calif.) (II) 2 37-4 477 3 3 Oklahoma City (VI) 40-7 462 4 4 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) (XIII) 39-9 434 5 5 St. Thomas (Fla.) (XIV) 35-9 408 6 8 Spring Arbor (Mich.) (VIII) 28-1 386 7 6 Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.) (XI) 36-11 358 8 7 Tennessee Wesleyan (XII) 32-11 350 9 11 Belhaven (Miss.) (XIII) 36-11 335 10 9 Bellevue (Neb.) (IV) 27-12 305 11 15 Texas Wesleyan (VI) 32-6 303 12 13 Lee (Tenn.) (XIII) 37-10 287 13 13 Ohio Dominican (IX) 24-6 245 14 16 Union (Ky.) (XII) 33-8 221 15 19 Warner Southern (Fla.) (XIV) 28-16 211 16 17 Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.) (II) 23-11 175 17 21 Embry-Riddle (Fla.) (XIV) 35-8 166 18 25 William Jewell (Mo.) (V) 30-11 158 19 10 Lubbock Christian (Texas) (VI) 28-12 147 20 22 Southern Polytechnic (Ga.) (XIII) 37-13 100 21 23 Albertson (Idaho) (I) 24-10 80 22 23 Bethany (Kan.) (IV) 25-9 72 23 NR Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) (XI) 27-18 56 24 NR Dickinson State (N.D.) (III) 19-7 55 25 18 Avila (Mo.) (V) 25-10 43 25 NR Louisiana State-Shreveport (XIII) 33-10 43

LSUS vs TWU double-header cancelled due to weather

APRIL 17, 2007

Today's scheduled double-header between the LSUS Pilots and the Texas Wesleyan University Rams has been cancelled due to weather.

The Pilots will return to action Friday night in Jackson, MS where they will take on the Belhaven College Blazers in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference action.

Crusaders escape bases loaded jam in 9th to avoid season sweep

APRIL 16, 2007

Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots (33-10, 18-6) failed to capitalize on a bases loaded one out situation in the 9th inning of game three against the William Carey University Crusaders(19-22, 11-13) who escaped with a 10-8 victory to avoid the season sweep by the Pilots.

The Crusaders took no time to get to Pilots starter Matt Clayman in game one. With one out, Adrian Hibler blooped a double that caught the inside of the field foul line, and scored on a two out RBI single by Elliot Burch giving the Crusaders a 1-0 lead.

The Crusaders added to their lead in the 2nd without virtue of a hit. Clayman hit Chris Williams to leadoff the inning. After an infield ground out, Clayman struck out Martin Roark for the second out of the inning, but fell victim of a wild throw from Pilots shortstop Brandon Magierowski after fielding a groundball from David Trisler which allowed Williams to score from third base.

Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the 2nd, Andrew Blubaugh delivered a two out RBI single which scored Magierowski from 3rd base, cutting the lead to 2-1.

The Pilots right hander however struggled through the 3rd inning which began after a leadoff walk to Steven Johnson. Burch followed with his second hit of the game in the form of an RBI triple to deep right-center field and scored one batter later after a Clayman curveball offering found its way to the backstop giving Carey a 4-1 lead.

The LSUS offense had combined for 32 runs in the previous two games but were held to just two hits in the first three innings by WCC starter Josh Troxclair. A leadoff walk to Pilots catcher Brent Lavallee which was followed by a Magierowski single to left field sparked a 10 run outburst by the Pilots who combined five walks and four hits including a three-run homerun by Quenton Shamsabady.

WCC added two runs in the 6th off Pilots reliever Blake Pinkston to cut the lead to 11-6. The Pilots were two outs away from a game one victory but a power failure knocked out the lights and forced the conclusion of the 7th inning to be completed Sunday afternoon.

Pilots reliever Victor Hernandez retired the Crusaders in order to begin Sundays three game set, preserving the Pilots 11- 6 lead.

In game two the Pilots capitalized on seven WCC errors and belted 12 hits including 3-for-5 performances from Shamsabady and Frye en route to a 9-6 victory.

The Pilots erased a four run 1st inning deficit in the series finale by scoring two runs in the bottom of the 1st and three more in the bottom of the 3rd inning. The Pilots extended their lead to 7-5 with a two run 6th inning, but the Crusaders responded with a five run outburst which was highlighted by an RBI triple from Pat Barnes. Trailing 10-7 in the bottom of the 9th, the Pilots led off with back-to-back singles from Stebbings and Frye which was the beginning of a potential come from behind victory. LSUS scored a solo run after an errant throw by Johnson on a double play attempt allowed Stebbings to score from second cutting the lead to 10-8.

WCC starter Lance Brewer issued back-to-back walks to Lavallee and Magierowski, but responded by striking out Shamsabady with his 147th pitch of the ballgame for the second out. Pinch hitter Scott Talley waved at a two strike curveball offering marking Brewer’s second strikeout of the game which put an end to the Pilots comeback bid.

Brewer (5-2) threw 153 pitches in the complete game effort. He allowed eight runs on hits while walking eight and hitting two LSUS batters. Barnes led the Crusaders offense with a 3-for-5 performance which included a triple, and RBI and a run scored.

Paul Marlow suffered the loss in relief (1-2) after allowing four runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings of work. Stebbings, Shamsabady, and Frye each collected two hits and two RBI in the losing effort.

Pilots and Crusaders to resume game one at 1:00pm

APRIL 15, 2007

Game one of this weekends three game Gulf Coast Athletic Conference series between the LSUS Pilots and and the William Carey College Crusaders was suspended in the top of the 7th because of techincal difficulties with the lights at Pilots Field. The Pilots need two outs to claim the victory in game one as they lead 11-6.

Games two and three will follow immediately after the conclusion of game one. Both games are scheduled to be nine inning contests.

Pilots Baseball schedule change; LSUS vs WCC GCAC series will begin Saturday

APRIL 12, 2007

Shreveport, LA---Due to the inclement weather forecast for Friday evening, the LSUS Pilots have rescheduled Friday night’s contest against the William Carey College Crusaders to Saturday afternoon.

Game one of the three game series will begin Saturday afternoon at 4:00pm marking the first game of a double-header at Pilots Field. The series finale will take place Sunday afternoon beginning at 1:00pm.

Pilots continue winning ways with 17-11 victory over Warhawks

APRIL 12, 2007

Monroe, LA---The No. 28 LSUS Pilots (31-9) added another quality win to their 2007 resume Wednesday night after scoring a season high 17 runs against the NCAA Division I opponent University of Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (21-13). Wednesday’s 17-11 win marked the 7th consecutive victory for the Pilots who are 10-1 over their last 11 outings.

In the top of the 1st inning, David McGhee drew a leadoff walk from ULM starter Daniel Roberts (0-2). The Pilots followed with a hit and run single to right field which advanced McGhee to third base with no outs. Bryan Stebbings followed with a line drive out to first baseman Bo Bowman who doubled off Moro at first base. Roberts escaped the inning after Bryan Cooksey belted a line drive out to shortstop Ben Soigner.

The Pilots sent junior right hander Marc Dainty (2-3) to the mound to square off against the Warhawks who currently sit half a game out of first place in the Sun Belt Conference behind the University of Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns. The Ontario, Canada native was in trouble early after walking Andy Jones and Soigner to begin the bottom of the 1st.

Dainty struck out Bowman for the first out but saw both base runners advance on a stolen base. ULM squandered the early scoring opportunity after Dexter Fontenot struck out and Kyle Suier flew out to left field ending the inning.

After a scoreless 2nd inning, the Pilots erupted for seven runs in the top of the 3rd. A one out walk to McGhee was followed by Moro’s second single in as many at bats. Stebbings drew a walk to load the bases which was followed by an RBI fielder’s choice from Chris Frye who reached first after a throwing error from third baseman Travis Drader.

Roberts night ended after hitting Cooksey with the bases loaded which gave the Pilots a 2-0 lead. Reliever DJ Fortenberry surrendered bases loaded singles to Brandon Magierowski and Andrew Blubaugh before inducing a ground out from McGhee ending the Pilots seven run rally.

The Warhawks responded with four runs of their own in the bottom of the 3rd after combining four hits and two walks including an RBI double to right-center field by Suire. Ty Rollinson added a two out single to right field but Moro collected his LSUS record 8th outfield assist by throwing out Morrison at the plate to end the inning with the Pilots leading 7-4.

ULM added a solo run in the 4th after Bowman belted a homerun to right field cutting the lead to 7-5, but the Pilots offense responded once again after a leadoff double down the left field line was from Cooksey was followed by an RBI single to center field from Lavallee accounting for the Pilots solo run in the 5th.

LSUS added four more runs in the 6th inning which was highlighted by Frye’s team leading 7th homerun of the year deep over the left field fence. Frye added an RBI double in the 7th inning stretching the Pilots lead to 13-5.

Pilots reliever Paul Marlow took over for Dainty in the bottom of the 7th inning and surrendered five ULM runs on four hits and three walks before Daniel Welch induced a bases loaded fly out from Bowman to end the inning. ULM had cut the lead to 13-10 but the Warhawks bullpen however could not find the answer to the Pilots offense as LSUS added two more runs in the 8th after Magierowski belted a two run homerun off Devin Porciau increasing the lead to 15- 10.

The Warhawks plated a run in the 8th but the Pilots responded with two more in the 9th after Cooksey delivered a two RBI single to center field giving the Pilots a 17-11 lead.

Matt Clayman tossed a scoreless bottom of the 9th putting the end to Wednesday’s slugfest which featured 28 runs and 27 hits.

Roberts suffered the loss for ULM after allowing five runs on three hits and four walks in 2.1 innings pitched. Bowman led the Warhawks offense finishing 2-for-5 with three runs scored and an RBI. Rollinson, Suire, and Josh Morrison each added two hits a piece and combined for four RBI and three runs scored.

Dainty collected his second win of the season after allowing five runs on six hits and four walks. Five Pilots hitters posted multi-hit games; Frye finished 3-for-5 which included two doubles, a homerun, three runs scored and three RBI; Magierowski finished 3-for-5 with a homerun, two runs scored and four RBI; Moro added a 3-for-6 performance while teammates Stebbings and Quenton Shamsabady added two hits a piece.

The Pilots will return to action Friday night when they will play host to the William Carey College Crusaders in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference action. LSUS is currently in a tie for top spot in the GCAC with the No. 11 Belhaven College Blazers (32-11). Game one of the three game series will commence Friday night at 6:30pm.

Frye caps double-header sweep over Tigers with walk-off homerun

APRIL 10, 2007

Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots (30-9) pulled out a 6-4 victory in game one of Tuesday’s double-header against Paul Quinn College (7-38), but were left wondering when their offense was going to kick it into high gear. The answer to their question was game two. Chris Frye capped off the Pilots 15-5 victory with a three-run homerun in the bottom of the 5th inning marking the Pilots highest run total in a single game this season.

Game 1

The Tigers capitalized on a one out hit by pitch taken by Jason Curry in the top of the 1st to take an early 1-0 lead. Michael Bentley belted a double to straight away center field scoring Curry from second with two outs off Pilots starter Blake Pinkston.

Pilots leadoff hitter David McGhee drew a lead off walk from Tigers starter Shawn Pennington in the bottom half of the frame and promptly advanced to third base after Colin Moro ripped a first pitch double down the left field line. The Pilots could only muster one run off an RBI sacrifice fly from Frye which scored McGhee from third, but Moro was thrown out by Justin Johnson after trying to tag up from second base.

After a scoreless 2nd inning, the Pilots offense came through with three runs in bottom of the 3rd to take a 4-1 lead. A two out single to left field from Bryan Cooksey scored Moro and pinch runner Josh Todd. Cooksey advanced to second base on the throw attempt to the plate which allowed him to score one batter later after a Quenton Shamsabady RBI single to left, accounting for the third run of the inning.

The Tigers responded with two runs of their own in the 4th inning via a wild pitch from Pinkston which allowed Bentley who singled earlier in the inning to score from third base. Pinkston responded by striking out Jorge Rivera with two outs, but Rivera advanced to 1st after Pilots catcher Scott Talley hit Rivera in the back with the throw attempt to first after blocking the ball in the dirt which allowed James Taylor to score from third base.

Pennington retired the Pilots in order in the 4th and 5th innings, and looked as though he escaped the 6th inning allowing no runs, but back-to-back misjudged fly balls to the outfield led to two Pilots runs and a 6-3 LSUS lead.

PQC added a single run in the 7th after Johnson belted an RBI single which scored Evans from second base, but Pinkston struck out Curry who represented the tying run at the plate for the final out of the contest.

Pennington (2-7) suffered the loss for the Tigers after allowing six runs (five earned) on 10 hits and two walks while striking out one. Bentley led the Tigers offense with a 2-for-3 performance which included a double, and RBI and a run scored. Johnston finished 2-for-4 with a run scored.

For LSUS, Pinkston (3-0) finished his first complete game of the season in which he allowed four runs on six hits while striking out six in 7.0 innings of work. Talley and Shamsabady each finished 2-for-3 at the plate while teammate Ricky Sanders added two hits and an RBI. Cooksey finished 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.

Game 2

The Pilots scored early and often in game two en route to a 15-5 victory. After starting pitcher Victor Hernandez tossed a perfect top of the 1st inning, the Pilots erupted for five runs in the bottom half of the frame.

Pilots lead off hitter Josh Todd belted a single to left field and advanced to second base after Moro was hit by a Bentley fastball offering. Bryan Stebbings delivered his first of three hits on the day with a single to right field which scored Todd and Moro. Brent Lavallee highlighted the Pilots five run outburst with a three run homerun, his 5th of the year, over the left field fence.

LSUS added two runs in the 2nd and three more in the 3rd inning to take a 10-0 lead before Hernandez ran into a stumbling block in the 4th inning. The junior right hander allowed four runs on three hits after allowing just one base runner through the first three innings. In the 5th inning, PQC capitalized on a leadoff error by the Pilots infield and scored a single run to cut the Pilots lead to 10-5. LSUS however followed suit in the bottom of the 5th by taking advantage of two PQC errors while adding two hits including a walk-off three-run homerun off the bat of Frye which gave the Pilots a 15-5 lead, forcing the 10-run mercy rule to come in effect.

Bentley suffered the loss for the Tigers after allowing 10 runs (nine earned) on seven hits and three hit by pitches. The PQC offense mustered only four hits and committed four errors on the night defensively.

Hernandez (1-0) collected his first win of the season after allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits and one walk while striking out three.

Stebbings led the Pilots offense with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate which included three RBI and two runs scored. Frye finished 1-for-3 with four RBI and two runs scored while Moro pitched in with a 1-for-3 effort which included three runs scored and two RBI.

The Pilots will return to action Wednesday night when they travel to Monroe, LA to take on the University of Louisiana- Monroe Warhawks (20-13). The Warhawks sport an impressive 14-3 home record this season and currently sit in second place in the Sun Belt Conference at 10-5, half a game behind conference leading University of Louisiana-Lafayette (26-7, 11-5). Game time is scheduled for 6:30pm.

The race is on: Pilots in tie for top spot in GCAC with sweep over Wolfpack

APRIL 08, 2007

Shreveport, LA---After dropping a double-header to Belhaven College Blazers (31-11, 16-5) on March 17th, the LSUS Pilots (28-9, 16-5) have won 12 of their last 16 games and are riding a seven game Gulf Coast Athletic Conference winning streak which has placed them in a tie for top spot in the GCAC with BC.

Heading into this weekends action, the Pilots were a game and a half out of first place with three games in hand on the idle Blazers. The Pilots took game one of the three game GCAC series against the Loyola University Wolfpack (13-27, 5- 16) 2-1 Friday night behind a complete game pitching performance from Matt Clayman (6-1), but found themselves in a hole in game two of the series Saturday afternoon trailing 3-0 heading into the bottom of the 4th.

A one out single to left field from designated hitter Bryan Stebbings sparked a three run Pilots rally. Bryan Cooksey delivered an RBI single to left which was followed by a fielders choice to short from Brent Lavallee scoring Frye from third base. Pinch hitter Scott Talley delivered a one out sacrifice fly to left field scoring Cooksey from third, tying the game at 3- 3.

The Pilots suffered a scare in the top of the 5thn inning after seeing starting pitcher Kevin Jewell hesitate to throw a pitch due to an apparent arm injury. With one out in the 5th, LSUS called on Daniel Welch out of the bullpen to take over for Jewell. Welch collected two quick outs to end the LU 5th, and then saw his teammates respond with two runs in the bottom half of the frame. Brandon Magierowski and Andrew Blubaugh belted back-to-back singles and took advantage of an errant throw from Wolfpack third baseman Josh Borges which allowed Magierowski to score from first while Blubaugh advanced to third. David McGhee dropped down a sacrifice bunt to score Blubaugh which stretched the Pilots lead to 5-3.

Magierowski struck again in the 6th with a two out RBI double to right field scoring Frye from second who led off the inning by being hit by a pitch. Pilots pinch runner Quenton Shamsabady advanced to third on Magierowski’s double, and safely stole home two pitches later. Blubaugh followed with an RBI single to right field which scored Magierowski and pushed the Pilots lead to 8-3.

Pinch hitter Bobby Alzvarez collected the Wolfpack’s first hit off Welch in the 7th with a one out single to left field. After stealing second base, Alvarez scored on a two out RBI single from Andy Rodriguez. Welch put the clamps on the Pilots 8- 4 victory forcing Brian Mason to ground out to second base for the games final out.

Wolfpack’s starter Stephen Ratasky (5-4) suffered the loss after completing 6.0 innings of work. Ratasky allowed eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits and one walk while striking out one. LU’s Todd Hubbell finished 1-for-2 at the plate and scored two runs while right fielder Hardie Coleman finished 1-for-2 with two RBI to lead the Wolfpack offense.

Welch (6-0) collected the victory in relief after completing 2.2 innings, allowing just one run one two hits while collecting two strike outs. Magierowski finished 3-for-3 at the plate for the Pilots which included a double, two runs scored, and RBI and a stolen base. Blubaugh added a 2-for-3 performance and added a run scored and an RBI.

Game 3

Juan Leon (8-1) escaped a bases loaded jam in the top of the 1st inning in which he surrendered two walks and a single to Mason before striking out Marc Jaynes to end the LU scoring threat.

In the bottom of the 1st, Wolfpack starting pitcher Miles Colley (1-2) surrendered a one out walk to Colin Moro who promptly stole second and third base, allowing a sacrifice fly to center from Stebbings to plate the games first run.

LU mounted a two out rally in the 2nd inning after Alvarez hit a single to center and advanced to second on a stolen base. Rodriguez singled to right scoring Alvarez to tie the score at 1-1. Leon issued a walk to Dozzier which was followed by a line drive single to right field by Mason. Moro put the end to the inning by throwing a perfect strike to the plate just in time to get Rodriguez trying to score from second on the play.

The Pilots answered in the bottom of the 2nd after Cooksey led off with a single and later scored on a two out RBI triple to right-center field from Magierowski giving the Pilots a 2-1 lead.

LSUS added two more runs in the 4th inning and one in the 5th stretching their lead to 5-1. A two out RBI single to left field from Lavallee in the 8th put the Pilots ahead 6-1, and Pilots reliever Paul Marlow tossed a scoreless 9th to complete the Pilots three game sweep over LU. For the Wolfpack, Miles allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and four walks in 5.0 innings of work. Mason led the LU offense with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate while Rodriguez finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.

The LSUS offense received a much needed spark from Magierowski who finished 2-for-3 including an RBI triple and two stolen bases in game two. Cooksey finished 1-for-4 with two runs scored and two stolen bases, while Josh Todd finished 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Leon scattered eight hits and four walks while allowing just one run in 7.0 innings of work. Marlow held LU hitless in 2.0 innings of relief.

The Pilots will return to action Tuesday afternoon when they will play host to the Paul Quinn College Tigers in the form of a double-header. Game one is scheduled to begin at 4:00pm.

Pilots complete sweep with 6-1 victory over Wolfpack

APRIL 07, 2007

Loyola University vs. LSUS Pilots 4/7/2007 Score by Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 - R H E Loyola University 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 8 2 LSUS Pilots 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 1 x - 6 8 1

Loyola University Starting Lineup- Dozier (LF), Rodriguez (SS), Mason (RF), Borges (3B), Hubbell (DH), Jaynes (1B), Lizana (2B), Wendt (C), Alvarez (CF), Colley (P). LSUS Pilots Starting Lineup- TODD (LF), MORO (RF), STEBBINGS (DH), FRYE (CF), COOKSEY (3B), LEDET (1B), LAVALLEE (C), MAGIEROWSKI (SS), BLUBAUGH (2B), LEON (P).

Umpires-

Top of 1st- Dozier reached on a walk. Rodriguez hit a sacrifice bunt and was putout (1-3), Dozier advanced to second. Mason singled to left, Dozier advanced to third. Borges struck out swinging. Mason advanced to second, on a stolen base. Hubbell reached on a walk. Jaynes struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors, 3 LOB) Bottom of 1st- TODD grounded out to short(6-3). MORO reached on a walk. MORO advanced to second, on a stolen base, MORO advanced to third, on a stolen base. STEBBINGS hit a sacrifice fly to to right, MORO Scored. FRYE lined out to short(6). (1 Run, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB) Top of 2nd- Lizana grounded out to third(5-3). Wendt grounded out to short(6-3). Alvarez singled to left. Alvarez advanced to second, on a stolen base. Dozier reached on a walk. Rodriguez singled to center, Alvarez Scored, Dozier advanced to second. Mason singled to right, Dozier advanced to third, Dozier was out stretching(9-2). (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors, 2 LOB) Bottom of 2nd- COOKSEY singled to left. COOKSEY advanced to second, on a stolen base, COOKSEY advanced to third, on Colley's wild throw. LEDET flied out to first(3). LAVALLEE flied out to left(7). MAGIEROWSKI tripled to deep right-center, COOKSEY Scored. BLUBAUGH grounded out to second(4-3). (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error, 1 LOB) Top of 3rd- Borges flied out to center(8). Hubbell grounded out to second(4-3). Jaynes singled to center. Lizana flied out to short(6). (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors, 1 LOB) Bottom of 3rd- TODD flied out to center(8). MORO flied out to center(8). STEBBINGS flied out to short(6). (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB) Top of 4th- Wendt struck out swinging. Alvarez flied out to left(7). Dozier singled to center. Rodriguez flied out to center(8). (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors, 1 LOB) Bottom of 4th- FRYE reached on a walk. FRYE advanced to second, on a stolen base. COOKSEY reached first on the fielder's choice, FRYE was tagged out(6- 5). LEDET singled to center, COOKSEY advanced to second. COOKSEY advanced to third, on a stolen base, COOKSEY Scored, on Colley's wild throw, LEDET advanced to third, via previous entered error. LAVALLEE hit a sacrifice fly to to left, LEDET Scored. MAGIEROWSKI singled to left. MAGIEROWSKI advanced to second, on a stolen base. BLUBAUGH flied out to center(8). (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error, 1 LOB) Top of 5th- Mason singled to center. Borges grounded into a (5-4-3) double play. Hubbell flied out to right(9). (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors, 0 LOB) Bottom of 5th- TODD reached on a walk. MORO singled to right, TODD advanced to second. TODD advanced to third, on a stolen base, TODD Scored, on defense's indifference, MORO was picked off and caught stealing(1-6). STEBBINGS hit by pitch. FRYE reached on a walk, STEBBINGS advanced to second. STEBBINGS was picked off and caught stealing(1-5). COOKSEY flied out to center(8). (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors, 1 LOB) Top of 6th- Jaynes grounded out to short(6-3). Lizana flied out to center(8). Wendt flied out to center(8). (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB) Bottom of 6th- Neill now in to pitch, replacing Colley. LEDET flied out to short(6). LAVALLEE flied out to the infield(2). MAGIEROWSKI grounded out to third(5-3). (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB) Top of 7th- Alvarez flied out to second(4). Dozier flied out to center(8). Rodriguez singled to left. Mason reached on a walk, Rodriguez advanced to second. Borges flied out to center(8). (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors, 2 LOB) Bottom of 7th- JENNINGS came in to play 2B, BLUBAUGH goes out. JENNINGS flied out to left(7). TODD doubled to deep right-center. MORO grounded out to the pitcher's mound(1-3), TODD advanced to third. STEBBINGS grounded out to the pitcher's mound(1-3). (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors, 1 LOB) Top of 8th- MARLOW now in to pitch, replacing LEON. Hubbell flied out to left(7). Jaynes reached base on MAGIEROWSKI's bobble. Lizana flied out to second(4). Mahoney pinch hitting for Wendt. Mahoney reached first on the fielder's choice, Jaynes was forced out(6). (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 1 Error, 1 LOB) Bottom of 8th- Wendt came in to play C, Mahoney goes out. FRYE singled to center. COOKSEY flied out to first(3). FRYE advanced to second, on a stolen base. HEBERT pinch hitting for LEDET. HEBERT flied out to left-center(8), FRYE advanced to third. LAVALLEE singled to left-center, FRYE Scored, LAVALLEE was out stretching(8-4). (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB) Top of 9th- HEBERT moves to 1B. Alvarez grounded out to first(3-1). Dozier reached on a walk. Rodriguez flied out to left(7). Mason flied out to left(7). (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)

Pilots take Game 2 over Wolfpack 8-4

APRIL 07, 2007

Loyola University vs. LSUS Pilots 4/7/2007

Score by Innings 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 - R H E Loyola University 0 2 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 - 4 7 1 LSUS Pilots 0 0 0 3 2 3 0 0 x - 8 9 0

Loyola University Starting Lineup- Dozier (CF), Rodriguez (SS), Mason (2B), Borges (3B), Hubbell (DH), Jaynes (1B), Fontenot (LF), Campos (C), Hardie (RF), Ratasky (P). LSUS Pilots Starting Lineup- MCGHEE (LF), MORO (RF), STEBBINGS (DH), FRYE (CF), COOKSEY (3B), LAVALLEE (C), SHAMSABODY (1B), MAGIEROWSKI (SS), BLUBAUGH (2B), JEWELL (P).

Umpires-

Top of 1st- Dozier struck out looking. Rodriguez hit by pitch. Mason lined into a (4-3) double play. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB) Bottom of 1st- MCGHEE flied out to second(4). MORO flied out to right(9). STEBBINGS flied out to left(7). (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB) Top of 2nd- Borges struck out swinging. Hubbell hit by pitch. Jaynes struck out swinging. Fontenot reached on a walk, Hubbell advanced to second. Campos reached on a walk, Hubbell advanced to third, Fontenot advanced to second. Hardie singled to right, Hubbell Scored, Fontenot Scored, Campos advanced to third. Dozier grounded out to short(6-3). (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors, 2 LOB) Bottom of 2nd- FRYE singled to center. FRYE was picked off and caught stealing(1-3-6). COOKSEY grounded out to second(4-3). LAVALLEE flied out to first(3). (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors, 0 LOB) Top of 3rd- Rodriguez grounded out to third(5-3). Mason struck out swinging. Borges struck out swinging. Borges struck out, drop 3rd strike, put out at 1st base (2-3). (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB) Bottom of 3rd- SHAMSABODY grounded out to short(6-3). MAGIEROWSKI singled to left. Balk by Ratasky, MAGIEROWSKI advanced to second. BLUBAUGH flied out to right(9), MAGIEROWSKI advanced to third. MCGHEE grounded out to third(5-3). (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors, 1 LOB) Top of 4th- Hubbell singled to center. Jaynes singled to short, Hubbell advanced to second. Fontenot singled to the pitcher's mound, Hubbell advanced to third, Jaynes advanced to second. Campos singled to center, Hubbell Scored, Jaynes advanced to third, Jaynes was out stretching(8-2), Fontenot advanced to second. Hardie grounded out to short(6-3), Fontenot advanced to third, Campos advanced to second. Dozier grounded out to short(6-3). (1 Run, 4 Hits, 0 Errors, 2 LOB) Bottom of 4th- MORO grounded out to short(6-3). STEBBINGS singled to left. Wild Pitch by Ratasky, STEBBINGS advanced to second. FRYE reached on a walk. COOKSEY singled to left, STEBBINGS Scored, FRYE advanced to second, FRYE advanced to third, advanced on the throw, COOKSEY advanced to second, advanced on the throw. LAVALLEE reached first on the fielder's choice, FRYE Scored, COOKSEY advanced to third. SANDERS pinch running for LAVALLEE. TALLEY pinch hitting for SHAMSABODY. TALLEY hit a sacrifice fly to to left, COOKSEY Scored. SANDERS advanced to second, on a stolen base, SANDERS was picked off (2-5-4). (3 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB) Top of 5th- LAVALLEE came in to play C, SANDERS goes out. SHAMSABODY came in to play 1B, TALLEY goes out. Rodriguez grounded out to third(5-3). WELCH now in to pitch, replacing JEWELL. Mason flied out to short(6). Borges grounded out to third(5-3). (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB) Bottom of 5th- MAGIEROWSKI singled to left. BLUBAUGH singled to right, MAGIEROWSKI advanced to third, MAGIEROWSKI Scored, on Borges' wild throw, BLUBAUGH advanced to second, advanced on the throw, BLUBAUGH advanced to third, via previous entered error. MCGHEE hit a sacrifice bunt squeeze and was putout (1-3), BLUBAUGH Scored. MORO flied out to right(9). STEBBINGS struck out looking. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 1 Error, 0 LOB) Top of 6th- Hubbell struck out swinging. Jaynes flied out to left(7). Fontenot struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors, 0 LOB) Bottom of 6th- FRYE hit by pitch. COOKSEY flied out to right(9). LAVALLEE lined out to short(6). SHAMSABODY singled to left, FRYE advanced to second. MAGIEROWSKI doubled to center, FRYE Scored, SHAMSABODY advanced to third. SHAMSABODY Scored, on a stolen base, MAGIEROWSKI advanced to third, on a stolen base. BLUBAUGH singled to right, MAGIEROWSKI Scored. MCGHEE reached first on the fielder's choice, BLUBAUGH was forced out(6-4). (3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB) Top of 7th- Campos flied out to center(8). Alvarez pinch hitting for Hardie. Alvarez singled to center. Alvarez advanced to second, on a stolen base. Dozier grounded out to short(6-3), Alvarez advanced to third. Rodriguez singled to left, Alvarez Scored. Mason grounded out to second(4-3). (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors, 1 LOB)

Clayman out duels Gibbs in 2-1 LSUS victory

APRIL 06, 2007

Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots (26-9, 14-5) rode the arm of senior right hander Matt Clayman (6-0) who pitched a complete game four hitter en route to a 2-1 victory Friday night over the Loyola University Wolfpack (13-25, 5-14) .

Clayman’s night started off on the wrong foot after he issued a lead off walk to Matt Dozier. Dozier advanced to second base after a Bryan Mason grounded out to shortstop for the second out of the inning, and scored one batter later when Joshua Borges drove a Clayman fastball offering off the top of the fence in right center field for a triple giving LU a 1-0 lead.

Pilots right fielder Colin Moro delivered a one out triple in the bottom of the 1st inning but found himself stranded as Wolfpack starter Thomas Gibbs (1-5) struck out Bryan Stebbings and retired Chris Frye with a fly out to right field to end the inning.

The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the 3rd inning when Stebbings delivered a two out single to right field which brought Frye to the plate. Frye belted a Gibbs offering off the top of the fence in right center field which ricocheted back into the field of play. Mason caught the ball off the fence and the play was ruled an out by the field umpire. After much deliberation, the play was ruled a ground rule double which allowed Stebbings to score from first, and the game was tied at 1-1.

Frye collected his second double of the night in the bottom of the 5th with two out. Gibbs responded by enticing a pop fly to right field from Bryan Cooksey which was dropped by Mason allowing Frye to score from second giving the Pilots a 2-1 lead.

The unearned run surrendered in the 5th proved to be the winning run as Gibbs and Clayman matched zeros on the scoreboard the rest of the way through. Andy Rodriguez singled to begin the 8th, but Clayman responded with three quick outs and retired the side in order in the 9th putting the clamps on his 5th victory of the season.

Gibbs went the distance for the Wolfpack allowing two runs (one earned) off six hits and two walks while striking out three in 8.0 innings of work. Borges led the Wolfpack offense with his 1st inning RBI triple and finished 1-for-3 with a walk. Rodriguez, Dozier, and Bobby Alvarez accounted for LU’s three other hits.

Clayman was credited with his third complete game of the year in which he allowed just one run while scattering four hits, four walks, and striking out eight.

Frye carried the Pilots offense accounting for three of the teams’ six hits which included two doubles, a single, an RBI and scored the games winning run in the 5th.

The two teams will square off again Saturday afternoon in double-header action at Pilots Field. First pitch is slated for 1:00pm.

Pilots hammer Huskies 13-3 in Game 1; Huskies respond with 4-1 victory in Game 2

APRIL 03, 2007

Shreveport, LA---Tuesday afternoon featured two Top 30 NAIA squads matched up at Pilots Field in the No. 29 LSUS Pilots (25-9) and the No. 26 Houston Baptist University (24-12). The Pilots forced the Huskies to walk off the field in the 6th inning after building a 13-3 lead forcing the 10-run mercy rule to come in to effect in game one. HBU however rode the arm of Jay Prigmore (3-2) who tossed a complete game four hitter in game two en route to a 4-1 Husky victory.

Game 1

The Huskies offense erupted for three runs in the top of the 1st inning off Pilots starter Daniel Welch (5-0). Ryan Majewski lifted a fly ball to left-center field which carried to wall for a lead off triple. A fielder’s choice to shortstop scored Majewski for the games first run. A missed played grounder by the Pilots infield allowed Greg Gossett to reach and later score on an RBI infield single by Brian Franze stretching the HBU lead to 3-0. With some help from HBU starter Matthew Headley (6-3), the Pilots quickly erased the 3-0 deficit by scoring four runs of their own in the bottom of the 1st inning. Headley walked the first two batters he faced in David McGhee and Colin Moro which was followed by a bunt single from Bryan Stebbings to load the bases. Bryan Cooksey walked which plated the Pilots first run which was followed by an RBI sacrifice fly from Jeff Ledet to deep left-center field scoring Moro from third base. Brandon Magierowski capped off the four run rally with a two-out two-RBI single to center field giving the Pilots a 4- 3 lead.

After a scoreless 2nd inning, the Pilots added to their lead in the 3rd after Magierowski drew a bases loaded walk which was followed by an RBI sacrifice fly by pinch hitter Scott Talley which stretched the Pilots lead to 6-3.

LSUS added a solo run in the bottom of the 4th via the long ball after Ledet belted his first round tripper of the season putting the Pilots ahead 7-3.

The Pilots bats added four more runs in the 5th which was highlighted by Cooksey’s 5th homerun of the season deep to left-center field.

In the 6th the Pilots belted three hits and scored two runs including a double to right field by pinch hitter Bobby Hebert to increase their lead to 13-3, forcing the 10-run mercy rule to come in effect after six innings.

The HBU staff allowed 11 hits while handing out 11 free passes in the losing effort. Headley was the losing pitcher of record after allowing six runs on two hits and six walks in 2.0 innings. Offensively for the Huskies, Eric Schiro finished 2- for-3 with a double while Franze was 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored.

After a shaky 1st inning, Welch settled in and held the Huskies scoreless through the next 5.0 innings marking his 5th victory of the year in a complete game effort. He scattered seven hits and allowed three walks while striking out five.

Ledet led the Pilots offense going 2-for-2 with a homerun, two RBI and two runs scored. Cooksey finished 1-for-3 with a homerun, three RBI and two runs scored.

Game 2

The Huskies struck first again in game two after Franze belted a two out RBI single to center scoring Chad Hebert who walked earlier in the inning giving HBU a 1-0 lead.

HBU added what turned out to be the winning run in the 3rd inning after Gossett doubled to lead off the inning and later scored on a Crabtree single, extending the HBU lead to 2-0.

Prigmore (3-2) was on cruise control through 4.0 innings as he flirted with perfection against an absolutely silent Pilots offense. Cooksey collected the Pilots first hit in the 5th with a single to center. Prigmore answered by striking out Ledet with three pitches before allowing a single to Colin Moro. The crafty lefty shut down any chances of a Pilots rally by striking out Magierowski for the 3rd out of the inning. Trailing 4-0 in the 6th, the Pilots managed to plate their only run of the game after a potential inning ending double-play was thrown away by Hebert which allowed Shamsabady to score from second base.

After a scoreless top of the 7th by senior left hander Cory Keener who saw his first action of the season, the Pilots managed a single from Ledet in the bottom of the frame, but Prigmore proved to be too much on this day as the Huskies avoided the sweep with a 4-1 victory.

Prigmore scattered four hits and one walk while allowing one run (unearned) and striking out six in 7.0 innings of work. Crabtree finished 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI while teammates Diego Castillo and Hebert each finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored,

Mark Dainty (1-3) suffered the loss after allowing two runs on five hits and two walks in 2.1 innings of work. Pilots reliever Blake Pinkston allowed two runs in 2.2 innings after allowing five hits and walk while striking out two before Victor Hernandez and Keener tagged up to hold the Huskies scoreless in the 6th and 7th innings.

LSUS will return to action Friday night at 6:30pm when they play host to Loyola University in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference action. Friday night’s contest is slated to begin at 6:30pm. Games two and three will commence Saturday in the form of a double-header with first pitch slated for 1:00pm.

Pilots split double-header with Wildcats

MARCH 27, 2007

Alexandria, LA---The LSUS Pilots (21-7) collected homeruns from Bryan Cooksey and Chris Frye en route to a 10-4 victory over the Louisiana College Wildcats (18-11) in game one of Tuesday’s double-header. The Wildcats however responded with a 7-5 victory in game two to avoid a season sweep by the Pilots.

Game 1

Leadoff hitter David McGhee got things started for the Pilots in the top of the 1st with a single to center field. McGhee promptly stole second and later scored on a two out double from designated hitter Bryan Stebbings giving LSUS an early 1-0 lead.

McGhee struck again in the 2nd inning with a two out bases loaded single scoring Colin Moro and Cooksey for a 3-0 LSUS lead.

Wildcats left fielder Jeremy Trahan belted a two-run homerun in the bottom of the 2nd inning cutting the lead to 3-2, but the Pilots responded with a three-run homerun off the bat of Frye in the top of the 3rd stretching their lead to 6-2.

Cooksey added his third round tripper of the year in the 7th putting game one out of reach as the Pilots went on to a 10-4 victory. Blake Pinkston (1-0) allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks while striking out one in 6.0 innings of work for the Pilots. Stebbings led the Pilots offense with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate including a double, two RBI and a run scored. McGhee finished 2-for-5 with two RBI while Frye was 1-for-3 including a homerun and four RBI. Cooksey added a 1-for-3 performance including a homerun, two RBI and two runs scored.

Game 2

The Pilots led 3-1 after a three run outburst in the top of the second which was highlighted by an Andrew Blubaugh bases loaded single, but followed with a costly error in the bottom of the frame leading to four Wildcats runs.

LC tacked on a solo run in the 4th inning after Gene Taylor belted a triple to center field scoring Bryan George who singled earlier in the inning, and added another in the 6th after a two out error allowed Taylor to reach base, and later score on an RBI single by Tyler Bray.

Trialing 7-3 in the top of the 7th, the Pilots loaded the base with one out. Cooksey delivered a one out single cutting the lead to 7-4, and a line drive fielders choice to third base by Moro plated the Pilots 5th run. Pinch hitter Jeff Ledet belted a line drive to left-center field with two outs, but George tracked it down for the final out of the ball game putting the cap on a 7-5 Wildcat victory.

George led the Wildcats offense going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Tyler also collected two hits and drove in one run.

Pilots starter Mark Dainty (1-2) fell victim of some early Pilots miscues in the losing effort. The junior right hander allowed nine hits and three walks while striking out five in 6.0 innings of work. Brandon Magierowski led the Pilots with a 2-for-4 effort at the plate while teammate Frye also added two hits and an RBI.

LSUS Baseball Alumni weekend to kickoff Friday night

MARCH 26, 2007

Shreveport, LA---The LSUS Pilots Baseball program would like to invite any and all players from previous years to take part in this upcoming weekend’s alumni festivities. The “Alumni Game” will be played Friday night beginning at 6:00pm. Optional batting practice for the alumni squad will begin at 5:00pm. Saturday afternoon will feature a double-header between the Pilots and the visiting Spring Hill College Badgers with first pitch slated for 4:00pm.

For those alumni in attendance, the Pilots will be putting on a crawfish boil between games, and welcome all players’s to stay upon the conclusion of Saturday’s contests for a special presentation. Sunday will conclude the weekend’s events with the final game of the three game series between LSUS and SHC which is scheduled for 1:00pm.

Stars steal game three from Pilots to avoid sweep

MARCH 22, 2007

Oklahoma City, OK---The LSUS Pilots (18-6) were staring at a 10-3 lead in the bottom of the 6th inning Wednesday afternoon, three innings away from a three game series sweep over the No. 2 Oklahoma City Stars (28-7). The Stars however pushed across five runs in the 6th, three runs in the 7th, and closed the door on a Pilots rally in the 9th to escape with an 11-10 victory.

Kody Keiser belted his 13th homerun off Pilots starter Blake Pinkston in the bottom of the first inning giving OCU an early 1-0 lead. The Stars threatened to add to their lead by sending Bobby Spain from second base after a single to right field by David Dennis, but Spain was gunned down at the plate after Colin Moro delivered a strike to the plate in time to get the diving Spain for the third out of the inning.

The Pilots erased the early 1-0 deficit after Bryan Cooksey drove a fastball offering from OCU starter Phil Burlleski to deep right center field which scored Moro and Jeff Ledet who started the inning with back-to-back hits. The Stars defense ended the Pilots rally with a 6-4-3 double play off the bat of David McGhee, keeping the LSUS at 2-1.

OCU entered Wednesday’s contest with 52 homeruns on the year, but it was the Pilots who used the long ball to plate six runs in the top of the 3rd inning.

With one out, Pilots catcher Brent Lavallee connected on his second homerun of the series to left field. Bryan Stebbings followed with a single up the middle and advanced to second base after Moro was hit by a pitch. Chris Frye followed with his third round-tripper of the year to deep left-center field pushing the Pilots lead to 7-1. LSUS added another run one batter later after Cooksey belted his first homerun of the season extending the Pilots lead to 8-1.

Pinkston allowed a solo-run in the bottom of the 4th when Corbett Thompson came through with a two out RBI single scoring Brandon Harrigan who led off the inning with a single to right field.

LSUS once again matched the Stars run one half inning later after Cooksey blasted a solo-shot to straight away center field making the score 9-2.

The Pilots right hander kept the potent Stars offense in check through 5.2 innings, but a homerun to deep left field sparked a five run Star rally. With two outs, Ryan Rachal hit a line drive to center field that tipped of the glove of a diving Frye for a triple. The Stars would add four runs on four hits before Pilots reliever Paul Marlow who came on with two out managed to strikeout Justin Funk to end the inning.

OCU capitalized on two hit by pitches and a two RBI single off Marlow by Spain to take an 11-10 lead in the bottom of the 8th.

In the 9th, McGhee led off with a double to shallow right-center field. Brandon Magierowski popped up a bunt attempt for the first out, but McGhee advanced to third one pitch later via a stolen base and represented the tying run with one out. A Lavallee strikeout and a Stebbings fly-out to left field however stranded McGhee at third, and the Stars salvaged an 11- 10 victory to avoid the three game sweep on their home turf.

Pinkston allowed seven runs on 12 hits and three walks while striking out four in 5.2 innings of work. Marlow suffered the loss allowing four runs in just 0.1 complete innings.

Cooksey led the Pilots offense finishing 3-for-4 which included a double, two homeruns, and four RBI. Lavallee finished 2- for-4 with a homerun while Frye added a 2-for-5 performance which was highlighted by a three-run homerun in the top of the 3rd inning.

The OCU offense was led by a 5-for-5 performance from Spain which included two doubles, a homerun, four RBI and two runs scored. Thompson finished 3-for-4 with a homerun while teammates Keiser and Rachal each collected two hits and two runs respectively.

LSUS will look to improve on their 18-6 record Friday night when they travel to Mobile, AL to take on the University of Mobile Rams in game one of a three game Gulf Coast Athletic Conference series. The Pilots have posted a 12-3 record on the road this season while playing just nine games at home where they are 6-3.

Despite posting a 5-2 record over the seven games heading into the three game set against OCU, the Pilots dropped 17 spots to No. 28 in the latest NAIA rankings. LSUS is now 7-3 in their last 10 contests after taking two games from the No. 2 ranked Stars and currently trail the No. 25 Belhaven College Blazers (20-10) by half a game for top spot in the GCAC.

Pilots take two from No. 2 OCU

MARCH 22, 2007

Oklahoma City, OK---The last time the LSUS Pilots (18-5) squared off against the No.2 Oklahoma City Stars (27-5) was in 2003 at the NAIA College World Series. OCU handed the 3rd place Pilots their only two losses of the tournament before bowing out to Lewis-Clark State University in the championship. LSUS took advantage of their first opportunity to avenge 2003’s outcome by sweeping the Stars Tuesday afternoon in double-header action, 6-5, and 8-7.

Game 1

Daniel Welch (4-0) collected five wins as a freshman starter for the Pilots in 2003 and was the pitcher of record in both losses against OCU at the World Series. Four years and one “Tommy-John” surgery later, Welch made his third start against OCU the charm.

The Stars drew first blood after Kody Kaiser led off the bottom of the 1st inning with a double down the right field line. Ryan Rachal moved Kaiser to third with a sacrifice bunt which was followed by a sacrifice fly to right field from Bobby Spain giving OCU a 1-0 lead. David Dennis began the bottom of the second with a double to right-center field which was followed by a hit by pitch to Brandon Harrigan which had Welch in a jam. The crafty right hander enduced Caleb Annesley to ground out into a 6-4-3 double play, and finished the inning with a fly out to center field from Landon Camp.

The Pilots began the top of the 3rd inning with a leadoff double of their own off the bat of Bryan Cooksey. Matt Delmas (5- 2) forced Andrew Blubaugh to pop out to left but saw Cooksey advance to third via a stolen base which allowed him to score on a fielders choice from David McGhee to tie the score at 1-1.

LSUS catcher Brent Lavallee drew a leadoff walk in the 4th inning and scored on a double to right field from Bryan Stebbings which gave the Pilots a 2-1 lead. Colin Moro singled to advance Stebbings to third, and a sacrifice fly from Jeff Ledet pushed the Pilots lead to 3-1.

Back-to-back singles from Blubaugh and McGhee had runners at the corners with no out in the 5th for the Pilots. Lavallee came through with a fielder’s choice to plate Blubaugh from third stretching the Pilots lead to 4-1.

The Pilots looked as though they put game one out of reach after a one out pinch hit double from Ricky Sanders sparked a two run rally. The Stars were one pitch away from escaping the top of the 7th allowing no runs, but a two out double to left-center field from Lavallee scored Sanders and McGhee which gave the Pilots some much needed insurance.

Welch held the Stars scoreless from the 2nd inning on and quickly collected one out to begin the 7th. The potent OCU offense however made one final push after Harrigan singled which was followed by Welch’s second walk of the contest. Camp delivered an RBI single to left field scoring Harrigan and Camp cutting the score to 6-3.

Welch struck out Funk for the second out of the inning which brought Kaiser to plate with two out. Kaiser ripped a fly ball to center field which looked as though it was out number three as center fielder Chris Frye sprinted under the ball only to find it ricochet off the heel of his glove allowing Camp to score and Kaiser to reach second base.

LSUS turned to reliever Matt Clayman to get out trouble, but Rachal greeted him with an RBI single to right field, cutting the lead to 6-5, and bringing Spain to the plate representing the winning run. Spain got good wood on the Clayman offering but the line drive groundball was swallowed up by Blubaugh at second base who delivered a perfect throw to Ledet at first putting an end to the Stars rally, and putting the cap on a 6-5 Pilots victory.

The Pilots used 6.2 innings of work from Welch who scattered seven hits and two walks en route to his fourth victory of the season. Clayman sealed the victory for the Pilots with his one out save, marking his first of the season.

“That win is a testament to everything this program has been about since I came to LSUS. We used everyone in the dugout and did the little things it takes to win, and we did it with class. We played solid defense, used some timely hitting, and took advantage of the “small-ball” game when the opportunity presented itself,” commented Welch.

McGhee was the lone Pilots hitter with two hits posting a 3-for-4 performance at the plate which included three singles and a run scored. Cooksey finished 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored, while Stebbings was 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Kaiser boosted his .500 batting average going 2-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored in the losing effort. Delmas was the losing pitcher of record after allowing four runs on six hits while striking out three.

Game 2

OCU sent starter Ben Langridge (2-1) to the mound in game two. Langridge collected back-to-back strikeouts over McGhee and Brandon Magierowski to begin the first. Lavallee drew a six pitch walk and Stebbings followed with two-run homerun to right-center field giving LSUS a 2-0 lead.

Pilots starter Mark Dainty held the Stars in check through three innings scattering two hits while striking out four.

Lavallee belted a leadoff line drive homerun to left field in the 4th inning off Langridge which gave the Pilots a 3-0 cushion.

OCU made their first mark on the scoreboard in the bottom of the 4th after Camp doubled down the left field line which scored Annesley, but a perfect relay throw to the plate stopped Dennis from scoring from first, and ended the inning with the Pilots leading 3-1.

The Pilots had runners on second and third with one out but failed to score which sparked some much needed momentum for the Stars offense.

OCU belted three consecutive hits including a two RBI triple from Kaiser in the bottom of the 5th which tied the score at 3- 3. Spain doubled to left to score Kaiser and scored on an RBI single from Annesley which chased Dainty from the mound.

The Pilots turned to left hander Kevin Jewell who picked off Annesley at first base and stuckout Dennis to end the Stars four run outburst.

OCU added a single run in the bottom of the 6th which stretched their lead to 6-3 and had the Pilots back against the wall heading into their last at bat.

In the 7th, Frye drew a leadoff walk from reliever Tony Snow. Snow collected consecutive strikeouts over Cooksey and Sanders for outs one and two. McGhee followed with an infield single bringing Magierowski to the plate representing the tying run.

Magierowski lifted a pop fly into shallow center field which was dropped by Funk allowing the inning to continue, and spelled the end for Snow. The Stars turned to hard throwing right hander Brad Riddle with the bases loaded and two outs, but Riddle delivered back-to-back walks which brought the Pilots to within one. The Pilots tied the game at 6-6 after a wild pitch allowed Magierowski to score from third base.

Moro fouled three two strike offerings from Riddle before delivering a two RBI double to left field which scored Lavallee and Stebbings which gave the Pilots an 8-6 lead.

LSUS sent Jewell out to close the bottom of the 7th but was greeted with a solo-homerun from Hannesley cutting the Pilots lead to 8-7. Dennis reached base one batter later via catcher’s interference which spelled the end for Jewell. The Pilots brought Clayman from the bullpen who battled through a walk and what looked to be an error on an inning ending double play ball to strike out Harrigan and Norris, and forced a fly out to right by Kaiser with the bases loaded preserving the Pilots 8-7 lead and double-header sweep over the Stars.

Moro led the Pilots offense going 2-for-4 which included the game winning two RBI double in the 7th inning. Stebbings and Lavallee each finished 1-for-3 with a homerun and a walk a piece.

Jewell (3-3) was the winning pitcher of record after completing 1.2 innings of work.

Blazers strike twice to take series 2-1 over Pilots

MARCH 17, 2007

Shreveport, LA---The Belhaven College Blazers (19-10, 10-5) pitching staff combined for 31 strikeouts in Saturday afternoon’s double-header sweep over the LSUS Pilots (16-5). BC took game one by a final score of 5-2 behind a complete game pitching performance by Thomas Royals (2-2), and took game two by a final score of 12-4.

Game 1

The Blazers took advantage of a leadoff hit by pitch from Pilots starter Kevin Jewell (2-3) in the top of the second to score the first run of the ballgame. Buddy Wyrick singled to center which advanced Shawn Anderson to third base with one out, and Reg Ott lifted a sacrifice fly to center scoring Anderson for a 1-0 lead.

The combination of three singles and two LSUS errors in the bottom of the 4th allowed BC to stretch their lead to 4-0.

LSUS answered with a run in the bottom of the 4th inning after a two out single from Bryan Cooksey scored Quenton Shamsabody from second base to cut the BC lead to 4-1.

Bryan Bennett led off the 6th by being hit by a pitch which led to the Blazers 5th run after Anderson who reached on a fielder’s choice scored on a wild throw from catcher Bryan Stebbings while stealing third base.

The Pilots left the bases loaded in the 6th and stranded two runners in the 7th after Royals struck out Cooksey who represented the tying run at the plate to end the game.

BC finished with five hits which included a 2-for-2 performance from Wyrick. Anderson finished 1-for-3 with three runs scored, an RBI, and two stolen bases.

Royals scattered five hits and five walks while collecting 13 strikeouts en route to his second victory of the year.

Cooksey was the lone LSUS offensive spark collecting two of the Pilots five hits.

Jewell allowed five runs (three earned) on five hits, three walks, and two hit by pitches while striking out eight. Game 2

BC scored early and often against the Pilots posting runs in the 2nd through 7th innings while starting pitcher Paul Faulkenberry held the Pilots to just one hit through six innings.

The Blazers threatened to invoke the ten run mercy rule over the Pilots as they led 12-1 heading into the bottom of the 7th, but a two out double off the wall in left center field by Brandon Magierowski scored David McGhee and Andrew Blubaugh to cut the lead to 12-3.

The Pilots added a solo run in the 8th but that would be the end as Faulkenberry continued to dominate the Pilots as he collected 16 strikeouts through 8.0 innings of work. The starting lefty scattered five hits and three walks while allowing four runs (three earned) to earn the victory.

The BC offense belted 16 hits and were led by David Gilbert who posted a 4-for-4 performance which included a double, two runs scored, and an RBI. Anderson finished 3-for-5 with three runs scored while Bennet and Jeffery Stevens each blasted homeruns and combined for four hits and four RBI.

McGhee and Blubaugh provided the limited offense for the Pilots each finishing 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Pilots starting pitcher Juan Leon (5-1) suffered his first loss of the season after allowing five runs on eight hits in 3.0 innings of work.

Pilots top Blazers 4-2 in GCAC action

MARCH 16, 2007

Shreveport, LA---Friday night’s Gulf Coast Athletic Conference match-up saw the defending 2006 GCAC Tournament Champion LSUS Pilots (16-3, 8-2) defeat the 2006 GCAC Regular Season Champion Belhaven College Blazers (17-10, 8-5) by a final score of 4-2 at Pilots Field.

Pilots right hander Matt Clayman took the mound for the Pilots looking to improve to 4-0 on the year. Clayman walked leadoff hitter Blaise King to begin the game, but managed to hold the Blazers scoreless after collecting two fly outs, and catcher Bryan Stebbings threw out David Gilbert trying to steal second base to end the inning.

LSUS scored a run in the bottom of the 1st inning for the 6th consecutive game after Chris Frye belted a double off the wall in left field, and scored one batter later after Steffan Primeaux singled to left giving the Pilots a 1-0 lead.

The score remained 1-0 in the Pilots favor until the bottom of the 5th. Bryan Cooksey laced a leadoff double down the left field line, and quickly advanced to third with no out after reading a Larkin curveball in the dirt. Larkin managed to get David McGhee to fly out to shallow right field for the first out, and followed by walking Chase Jennings which put runners on the corners for Pilots leadoff hitter Brandon Magierowski. Magierowski fouled off a first pitch bunt attempt but dropped down a perfect bunt base hit down the third base line on the next pitch to score Cooksey from third giving the Pilots a 2-0 cushion.

The Blazers offense finally mustered a run in the top of the 6th. King drew his second leadoff walk of the game and later advanced to second on a one out single to center field from Thomas Royals. Both runners advanced after a wild pitch found its way to the backstop, which allowed King to score from third on an RBI fielders choice to short from Bryan Bennett. Clayman put an end to the Blazers rally forcing a ground out to short from Ricky Owens who stranded runners at the corners.

After a scoreless 7th inning, Gilbert belted a one out fastball offering from Clayman deep over the left field wall to tie the game at 2-2. Royals followed with his second single of the game which marked the end of the night for Clayman.

Daniel Welch came out of the bullpen looking to close the door on the Blazers, but found him self in a jam early. Royals stole second base on Welch’s first delivery, and Bennett reached with a one out walk. Owens followed with a fielders choice ground out to third base, and pinch runner Mark Gray was thrown out at third base by Stebbings to end the inning and the BC scoring threat.

With one out in the bottom of the 8th, Primeaux delivered his second single of the night to left field. Pinch runner Quenton Shamsabody took over for Primeaux at first, and advanced to second after Pilots designated hitter Jeff Ledet drew a walk, which spelled the end for Braxton. The Blazers went to Chris Norris out of the bullpen who walked Colin Moro to load the bases with one out. BC opted to bring hard throwing right hander Matt Lawrence to the mound to face Stebbings who drove Lawrence’s first pitch to right field scoring Shamsabody and Ledet to give the Pilots a 4-2 lead.

BC center fielder Shawn Anderson beat out a base hit bunt to leadoff the 9th, but Welch shut down any comeback attempt by striking out Reg Out and Buddy Wyrick, and finished the game with a 3-2 curveball which froze pinch hitter Austin Fagan for strike three.

Welch (3-0) became the pitcher of record after replacing Clayman in the 8th inning. Clayman allowed two runs on five hits while scattering two walks and three hit by pitches, and collected six strikeouts. Welch allowed no hits and struck out three in his 1.2 innings of work.

Braxton (2-3) allowed four runs on seven hits, walked fiver batters, and collected eight strikeouts in the losing effort. Royals collected two of the Blazers six hits on the night, and teammate Gilbert finished 1-for-4 which included the game tying homerun in the 8th inning.

Cooksey, the reigning GCAC Player of the Week led the Pilots offense with a 2-for-3 effort which included a double and a run scored while Primeaux added a 2-for-4 effort and added an RBI. Frye finished 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored.

The top two teams in the GCAC will meet again Saturday afternoon in the form of a double header with game one scheduled for 1:00pm at Pilots Field.

Pilots complete sweep over Crusaders

MARCH 11, 2007

Hattiesburg, MS---The No. 11 ranked LSUS Pilots (15-3, 7-2) entered this weekend’s Gulf Coast Athletic Conference series against the William Carey College Crusaders (7-15, 3-9) riding the coattails of a six game road losing streak in Hattiesburg dating back to 2005. The Pilots ended that streak in a big way collecting their first GCAC series sweep with 5- 3, 4-2, and 5-0 victories.

Game 1

Friday night’s contest featured the Crusaders hard throwing right hander Derrick Thompson (1-2) matching up against Pilots ace left hander Kevin Jewell (2-2).

Pilots senior starting shortstop Brandon Magierowski led off the first inning with an infield single which rolled just out of the reach of a diving a diving Chris Williams at third base. Thompson collected back-to-back strike outs over Chris Frye and Scott Talley, but an errant pick off attempt by catcher Martin Roark found its way down the left field line allowing Magierowski to reach second base. Roark’s error proved costly as Steffan Primeaux delivered a two out single to left field to score Magierowski for the games first run. Thompson then fell victim to the long ball after Pilots right fielder Colin Moro belted a 1-2 offering over the wall in left for his second homerun of the season which gave the Pilots an early 3-0 lead.

The Crusaders answered with a solo run of their own in the bottom of the 1st after David Trisler delivered a leadoff double down the left field line, and scored one batter later after Lindsay Lang belted an RBI single up the middle cutting the Pilots lead to 3-1. Jewell retired the next three hitters in order including two strikeouts to end the WCC threat.

Thompson held the Pilots offense at bay over the next five innings allowing just two hits while striking out seven. A lead off walk in the top of the 7th to Bryan Stebbings however sparked a two run LSUS rally. Bryan Cooksey followed with a bunt single to third which was followed by a sacrifice bunt attempt by Ricky Sanders. Sanders pushed a hard bunt back to Thompson who fielded the ball cleanly but threw the ball wide of first base allowing pinch runner Quenton Shamsabody to score from second, and put runners on second and third with no outs.

Pilots Head Coach Rocke Musgraves selected Jeff Ledet off the bench to pinch hit in the RBI situation, and Ledet responded with an RBI sacrifice fly to right field. Pat Burch delivered a strike to home plate but Cooksey just beat the tag giving the Pilots a 5-1 lead.

Jewell allowed just one single from the 2nd through 6th innings while collecting six strikeouts, but a lead off double to Roark in the bottom of the 7th had the Crusaders offense threatening to attack. Jewell managed to strike out Elliot Burch for the first out, but Williams followed with an RBI singled scoring Roark from second to cut the lead to 5-2. After a Pat Barnes ground out, Pat Burch became the 10th strikeout victim of the night by Jewell which ended the inning.

The Crusaders threatened again in the 8th after Lewis Rolon led off with a single to left which was followed by a single to center by Trisler. Jewell managed to get Lang to fly out to right field for the first out, and looked as if he induced an inning ending double play from Steven Johnson, only to see the grounder bounce off Pilots second baseman Chase Jennings’ glove into shallow right field allowing Rolon to score, and placing runners on the corners with one out. The crafty lefty however responded by forcing a ground ball to short to Magierowki who teamed up with Jennings to role an inning ending double play.

The Pilots retired the Crusaders in order in the 9th and held on for a 5-2 series opening victory. Jewell went the distance for the third time this season scattering six hits, no walks, while collecting 10 strikeouts and lowering his ERA to 0.92 on the year.

Cooksey collected four of the Pilots seven hits on the night going 4-for-4 at the plate with four singles, while Moro finished 1-for-4 with what proved to be a game winning two run homerun in the 1st inning.

Thompson (1-2) also went the distance Friday night scattering seven hits and two walks while striking out 13 Pilots hitters. Trisler posted the lone multi-hit performance for WCC finishing 2-for-4 which included a double and a run scored.

Game 2

The Crusaders sent Josh Troxclair to the mound in game two as WCC looked to even the series in a seven inning affair. Troxclair collected two quick outs in the first before issuing a walk to Stebbings who advanced to second on a wild pitch just two pitches later. Primeaux followed with a double down the left field line to score Stebbings as the Pilots jumped out to the early 1-0 lead.

The Pilots hard throwing right hander Matt Clayman (3-0) struck out the first two batters he faced in Trisler and Lang, and forced a fly out to right from Johnson to end the 1st.

The scored remained 1-0 into the bottom of the 3rd inning. The Crusaders loaded the bases with just one out and the heart of the order coming to the plate in Johnson and Roark. Clayman managed to strikeout Johnson for the second out and escaped the jam after Roark flew out to left field to end the inning.

Burch led off the bottom of the 4th inning with a single to left, but the Pilots defense stepped up big once again as Cooksey and Magierowski teamed up to role a double play on a Barnes bunt attempt. Burch followed with a double to deep left-center field, but Clayman struck out Jordan Rogers for the 3rd out.

LSUS took advantage of a two out error by Rogers in the 5th which allowed Frye to reach first, and Jennings to advance to second. Stebbings delivered a double to right-center field which scored Jennings and Frye to give the Pilots a 3-0 cushion.

WCC threatened to score yet again in their half of the 5th inning loading the bases with just one out. Clayman however stepped up to the challenge collecting back-to-back strikeouts over Roark and Burch to preserve the 3-0 lead.

Clayman allowed a leadoff walk in the bottom of the 6th to Barnes, and followed with by hitting Burch putting runners at 1st and 2nd with no out. It looked as if he was going to fight his way out of yet another jam after collecting two quick outs, but Trisler delivered a 0-2 fastball offering to deep left-center field scoring both runners and cutting the Pilots lead to 3-2. Trisler’s triple marked the end for Clayman who allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out nine. Pilots reliever Mark Dainty preserved the Pilots 3-2 by striking out Lang to end the inning which left Trisler stranded at 3rd.

The Pilots responded with a run of their own in the top of the 7th after Frye drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third after a pair of stolen bases. Frye later scored on an RBI sacrifice fly by Moro stretching the lead to 4-2.

In the bottom of the 7th, Johnson led off with an infield single bringing the tying run to the plate in Roark. Once again however the Pilots defense responded by turning a 6-4-3 double play, and ended the game after Magierowski collected a ground ball off the bat of Burch and tossed it on time to Primeaux at first for the last out.

Troxclair (2-3) suffered the loss after allowing four runs (two earned), on seven hits, four walks, while collecting eight strikeouts in 7.0 innings of work. Trisler and Lang led the WCC offense combining for four hits and two RBI.

Cooksey followed his 4-for-4 performance Friday night with a 2-for-3 effort, while Stebbings finished 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run scored.

Game 3

For the third consecutive game the Pilots scored a single in the top of the 1st to take a 1-0 lead. Frye fisted a one out single to left and advanced to third on a single to right field by Stebbings. A ball in the dirt by Crusaders starter Matt Carter (1-2) was blocked by catcher Ray Fitzpatrick, but trickled just in front of the plate which allowed the speedy Frye who got a great jump from third base to score just ahead of the tag by Carter.

The Pilots struck again in the 3rd after Sanders and Jennings delivered back-to-back singles which sparked a two run rally. Sanders stole third and scored after Fitzpatrick sent a wild throw into center field which also allowed Jennings to reach second base. Magierowski belted a single to left field putting runners at the corners which spelled the end for Carter.

Lance Brewer came on in relief and the held the Pilots to just one run via an RBI ground out by Stebbings which scored Magierowski from third giving LSUS a 3-0 lead.

The 3-0 lead proved to be all the Pilots would need as Juan Leon (5-0) held the Crusaders scoreless through 7.0 innings of work before giving way to Daniel Welch who tossed a scoreless 8th and 9th innings preserving the Pilots 5-0 lead, and putting the cap on a three game series sweep.

Leon scattered nine hits and collected five strikeouts while lowering his ERA to a team low 0.89 on the year. Welch struck out four in his two perfect innings of work.

Magierowski and Moro each finished with two hits and a run scored to lead the Pilots offense.

The Pilots improved to 7-2 in conference action with the sweep and have climbed in to top spot in the GCAC; two games ahead of the 8-4 Belhaven College Blazers. The No. 11 ranked Pilots will return home to Pilots Field for their first home game in over a month Friday night when they play host to the BC Blazers. First pitch is slated for 6:30pm. Games two and three will commence Saturday afternoon beginning at 1:00pm.

Pilots senior Colin Moro earns GCAC Player of the Week honors

MARCH 07, 2007

Hattiesburg, Miss. – The Gulf Coast Athletic Conference announced the baseball players and pitchers of the week for the week ending March 4, 2007. The GCAC baseball player of the week is Colin Moro of LSUS.

Moro helped lead the Pilots to a 3-1 record on the week by hitting .533 with 3 runs scored, 3 doubles, and 2 RBI's. Moro is a senior right fielder from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Alvarez's single gives Pack win over LSUS

MARCH 04, 2007

Westwego, La.- Bobby Alvarez’s single down the right field line plated Bryan LaVoie with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning gave Loyola a 9-8 victory over LSU-Shreveport Sunday afternoon at Segnette Field.

Loyola trailed 3-1 as the game entered the bottom of the fifth inning. The Wolfpack exploded with five runs, all with two outs, in the frame to give them a 6-3 lead. Brian Mason plated the first run of the inning as the Loyola right fielder singled, scoring Chris Lizana. Later in the inning, Jerry Campos singled with the bases loaded to score Josh Borges and Mason. Andy Rodriguez followed with another single that scored Marc Jaynes. Matt Dozier reached on an error by the Pilot third baseman Bryan Cooksey that scored David Kathman for the final run of the inning.

The Pilots tied the score in their half of the sixth. Colin Moro drove in two runs with a single to center field and Cooksey followed with a run scoring single of his own to tie the score.

The game remained tied until the Pilot half of the seventh.

Bryan Stebbings doubled to left center and two LSUS runners scored to give the Pilots an 8-6 advantage.

Loyola answered with one run in each of the next three Wolfpack frames. The first came in the seventh as Alvarez drove in Rodriguez with a one out single to right. In the eighth, Marc Jaynes hit a solo home run that knotted the score at 8-8. Alvarez again drove in a big run as the Wolfpack center fielder drove in the game winner in the ninth.

"We didn't show up for the second game of the double header yesterday. The team answered the coaching staff's challenge to play a full game from the first pitch to the last. We will compete in this league if we continue to give the effort and get the performances we had today," said Loyola head coach Doc Beeman. Matt Wendt (1-1) got the victory in relief. He threw a scoreless top of the ninth and walked a batter in completing the inning. Starter Kevin Fontenot went four innings and gave up three runs, two earned on six hits. He struck out four and walked one.

Loyola (7-14, 2-4 GCAC) had 13 hits in the game. Jaynes led going 3 for 5 with three runs scored and an RBI. Rodriguez also went 3 for 5 with a run scored and a RBI. Alvarez finished the afternoon 2 for 5 with two RBI.

For Shreveport (12-3, 4-2 GCAC), Mark Dainty (1-1) got the loss. He went 1.1 innings and gave up two runs on three hits and walked one. The Pilots also had 13 hits on the day. Colin Moro led going 3 for 5 with a run scored and two RBI.

Pilots win fourth straight after two game sweep over Wolfpack

MARCH 04, 2007

New Orleans, LA---The LSUS Pilots (12-2) used a complete game three hit shutout performance by left handed senior starter Kevin Jewell (1-2) en route to a 3-0 victory over the Loyola University Wolfpack (6-14, 1-4). In game two, the Pilots belted 11 hits including a 1st inning two run homerun by Steffan Primeaux which sparked a 12 run outburst as the Pilots took game two 12-1 in eight innings.

Game 1

The Pilots struck first in the top of the first after a Chris Frye single off LU starter Stephen Ratasky was followed by a double down the left field line from Scott Talley putting runners at 2nd and 3rd with one out. Pilots cleanup hitter Brent Lavallee lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to score Frye from third giving the Pilots a 1-0 lead.

LSUS added a solo run in the top of the 2nd after Colin Moro led off with a single to center field, and advanced to second after Bryan Cooksey was hit by a pitch. Moro and Cooksey promptly stole 2nd and 3rd base, allowing Moro to score on a sacrifice fly to left field from Ricky Sanders which put the Pilots ahead 2-0.

Jewell remained perfect through 4.2 innings before allowing a two out single to Wolfpack catcher Jerry Campos. The crafty left hander struggled from the stretch as he walked the next hitter on four straight pitches, but ended the Wolfpack rally by getting Chris Lizana to fly out to center to end the inning.

LSUS added a solo run in the 7th after Frye scorched a groundball to Wolfpack shortstop Andy Rodriguez which was ruled an error after taking a bad hop off the infielder’s chest. Frye stole second base on the ensuing pitch and later scored on an RBI single to left-center by Talley, extending the Pilots lead to 3-0.

LU threatened in the bottom of the 7th after Marc Jaynes belted a two out double down the line, and advanced to third base after Campos singled to right putting runners on the corners. Jewell however responded by striking out Todd Hubble to put an end to the LU rally and collected his first win of the season. Jewell scattered three hits while striking out seven en route to his second complete game of the season. The fourth year senior now sports a 0.89ERA and has held opposing hitters to a miniscule 0.176 batting average.

Ratasky (3-1) suffered his first loss of the season after throwing a complete 7.0 innings while allowing eight hits, one walk, and striking out two. Capmos led the Wolfpack with two of their three hits in the game.

The Pilots tandem of Frye and Talley led the Pilots offense, each collecting two hits, and combining for two RBI and a run scored. Moro collected his first three hit performance of the season going 3-for-3 at the plate including a double and a run scored.

Game 2

The LSUS offense attacked LU’s starting pitcher Chucky Benauch right out of the gate in game two. Brandon Magierowski drew a lead off walk and advanced to second on a stolen base. Benauch managed to strike out Frye for the first out saw Magierowksi advance to third on a stolen base on the strike three pitch. Talley followed with a bunt base hit down the third base line which scored Magierowski from third for the games first run. Primeaux followed with his second homerun of the season to left-center field putting the Pilots ahead 3-0.

Primeaux began a two run rally in the 3rd after sending a double down the left field line and later scored on a wild pitch. Pilots catcher Bryan Stebbings followed with a walk and gave way for pinch runner Quenton Shamsabody. Shamsabody promptly stole second and third base which allowed him to score on Campos’s errant throw which found its way to left field, giving the Pilots a 5-0 lead.

LU mustered their first and only run of the day in the bottom of the 3rd inning after Chris Lizana belted a double down the right field line off Pilots starter Juan Leon. Lizana advanced to third on a fielder’s choice by Bobby Alvarez, and scored on a ground out to second base by Kevin Fontenot, cutting the lead to 5-1.

The Pilots offense responded in a big way however, scoring runs in each of the next five innings which included two in the 8th which put the Pilots ahead 12-1, forcing the ten run mercy rule to come in effect.

Primeaux led the Pilots offense with a 2-for-3 performance which included a homerun (2), two RBI, and two runs scored. Talley followed with his second consecutive two hit performance, while Stebbings finished 2-for-4 which included two doubles and two RBI.

Leon (4-0) was credited with the win after completing 7.0 innings of work in which he scaterred five hits and one walk while striking out five.

Benach suffered the loss after allowing seven earned runs on seven hits and four walks.

Game three will commence Sunday afternoon at Segnette Field. First pitch is slated for 1:00pm.

Pilots power past Muleriders, 13-5

FEBRUARY 28, 2007

Magnolia, AR---The LSUS Pilots (10-2) belted 16 hits, including six for extra bases Tuesday night as they muscled their way past NCAA Division II opponent Southern Arkansas University Muleriders (9-7) by a final score of 13-5.

Senior catcher Brent Lavallee set the stage for what turned out to be an offensive explosion for the Pilots Tuesday night by belting a double off the left field wall in the top of the 1st inning. The Muleriders however executed a perfect relay and gunned down Scott Talley at the plate denying the Pilots first run.

With runners on the corners in the top of the 2nd inning, Colin Moro tried to score from third base on a ground ball to first, but SAU threw out Moro and collected their second out of the game at the plate in as many innings. Pilots freshman second baseman Chase Jennings however delivered a clutch two out single through the left side of the infield which scored Bryan Cooksey from third base putting the Pilots ahead 1-0.

The Pilots looked as though they were going to squander yet another scoring opportunity after Chris Frye led off the top of the 3rd inning with a double to left field, but was thrown at third base trying to advance on a ground ball to shortstop off the bat of designated hitter Scott Talley. Lavallee however followed with a single to left field which was followed by a Steffan Primeaux three run homerun over the left field fence which put the Pilots ahead 4-0.

Pilots starting right hander Marc Dainty held the Muleriders hitless through 2.2 innings but surrendered a solo homerun off the bat of Tyler Maag which cut the Pilots lead to 4-1.

SAU added two more runs in the bottom of the 4th inning after Dane Lucas drew a leadoff walk and later scored on an RBI single by Scooter Hendrickson. Hendrickson promptly advanced to second on an errant pickoff throw by Dainty, and scored two pitches later on a David Aubrey RBI single to right field. Dainty allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five in his 4.0 innings of work.

LSUS took no time to answer as they plated two runs in the top of the 5th which was highlighted by back-to-back hits by Primeaux and Moro.

Pilots reliever Paul Marlow (1-0) escaped a bases loaded jam in the 5th and stranded runners on second and third in the 6th eliminating any chances of the Muleriders cutting into the Pilots 6-3 lead.

The back breaker for the Muleriders came in the top of the 7th inning after Brandon Magierowski belted a bases loaded 0- 2 offering from Drew Webster over the left field fence for a grand slam and his first homerun of the season.

Two batters later Lavallee collected his third hit of night, this time in the form of a solo shot over the center field fence which put the Pilots ahead 12-3. SAU capitalized on leadoff back to back walks in the 7th by Pilots reliever Victor Hernandez after Jeremy Triche delivered a two RBI single to left, but that would be as close as the Muleriders would come on this night as Blake Pinkston and Matt Clayman held the Muleriders scoreless over the 8th and 9th innings.

Marlow (1-0) was the pitcher of record and recorded his first win of the season after surrendering four walks and a hit by pitch, but held SAU scoreless through 2.0 innings of work.

Ryan McVay (1-1) suffered the loss for SAU after allowing four runs off seven hits in 2.1 innings pitched. Seven SAU hitters collected hits Tuesday night including Triche who finished 1-for-4 at the plate with two RBI.

Six Pilots collected multi-hit performances Tuesday night; Lavallee finished 3-for-6 which included a homerun (2), a double (2), two RBI, and two runs scored; Magierowski finished 2-for-5 which included a homerun (1), four RBI, and a run scored; Primeaux ended 2-for-5 with a homerun (1), three RBI and two runs scored; Frye finished 2-for-6; Moro finished 2- for-4; and Jennings finished 2-for-3 which included two runs scored and an RBI.

The Pilots will return to action again this weekend in New Orleans, LA as they will take on the Loyola University Wolfpack in Gulf Coast Athletic Conference action. Game one of the three game series is scheduled for 1:00pm Saturday afternoon. All games will be played at Segnette Field.

LSUS Baseball schedule change

FEBRUARY 22, 2007

The LSUS Pilots will travel to Mobile, AL to take on the Spring Hill College Badgers this upcoming weekend for their Gulf Coast Athletic Conference season opener. The three game series has been rescheduled and will consist of a double header on Friday afternoon beginning at 3:00pm.

Game one is scheduled to be a nine inning ball game while the night cap will be a seven inning game. Game three is slated for 1:00pm Saturday afternoon.

Pilots use late inning heroics to complete sweep of Reddies

FEBRUARY 21, 2007

Arkadelphia, AR---LSUS Pilots (7-1) senior right hander Matt Clayman flirted with a no hitter in game one of a two game set between the Pilots and the NCAA Division II opponent Henderson State University Reddies Tuesday afternoon. Clayman registered an LSUS record 95mph fastball and allowed just one single in the 5th inning as the Pilots took game one 3-1. In game two the Pilots were down to their final strike, but an RBI single from senior Colin Moro in the top of the 7th inning forced extra frames. After each team squandered potential scoring opportunities in the 8th and 9th innings, the Pilots scored two runs in the 10th inning and held on for a 5-4 victory. Game 1

Clayman (2-0) was clocked at 93mph on his second pitch and later hit 95mph on a day in which he flirted with perfection. The first three innings proved uneventful for either side as Reddies right handed starter James Ferguson matched Clayman’s no-hit bid through three innings, allowing just one LSUS base runner by way of a hit by pitch.

The LSUS offense got things rolling in the 4th after a David McGhee single was followed by a Brandon Magierowski single, and an RBI double by Chris Frye which had the Pilots ahead 2-0. Colin Moro reached base off a Brian Cauthorn bobble at short which also advanced Frye to third base. Jeff Ledet followed with an RBI single stretching the Pilots lead to 3-0. Ferguson managed to get Bryan Cooksey to line into a double play and induced a Brent Lavallee ground out to second to end the Pilots rally.

The Pilots hurler remained perfect through 4.1 innings but could not put away Mike Devito who battled from a 1-2 count to muster a walk. Devito promptly advanced to second base after a wild pitch where he saw teammate Josh Spradlin become one of 11 Reddies strikeout victims on the afternoon. Tyler Sheppard however collected the Reddies lone hit as he drove a two out RBI single up the middle just out of the reach of the Pilots shortstop. Clayman finished the inning by striking out Cody Duncan to preserve the 3-1 Pilots lead.

Clayman allowed a one out walk in the 7th which brought the tying run to the plate, but any chance of a Reddies comeback bid was silenced with consecutive strikeouts over Devito and Spradlin as the Pilots held on to take game one by a final score 3-1.

Clayman was credited with the win after allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out 11. The Pilots hard throwing right hander has collected 27 strikeouts in 14.0 innings of work this young season and has held opponents to a stingy 0.089 batting average.

Game 2

The night cap began the same as the first as two teams remained hitless through 2.5 innings. Sheppard however sparked the Reddies offense again in the bottom of the 3rd as he delivered a Marc Dainty fastball offering down the left field line for a lead off double. Dainty managed to strike out Duncan swinging for the first out of the inning but did not have such luck against David Purcell who delivered an RBI double to left center field for the games first run.

Josh Todd collected the Pilots first hit off Reddies starter Caleb Smith in the top pf the 4th inning which proved to be of no avail as Pilots second baseman grounded followed with a fielders choice to end the inning just one batter later.

In the 6th inning Josh Williams took over in relief for Smith who scattered three walks and one hit through 5.0 innings of work. Williams allowed a lead off walk to Moro which was followed by a Ledet single placing Pilots base runners at 1st and 2nd with no out. Williams struck out Cooksey for the first out and forced a ground out to first base by Stebbings which advanced Moro and Ledet to 2nd and 3rd. Pilots Head Coach Rocke Musgraves called on Scott Talley to pinch hit for Todd which proved to be the right move as Talley delivered a 2-0 fastball offering from Williams down the left field line giving the Pilots a 2-1 lead. Freshman right hander Matt Gibson came on in relief of Williams and forced a fly ball from pinch hitter Lavallee to end the inning.

Pilots reliever Paul Marlow tossed a perfect 5th inning in relief of Dainty who allowed just one run on three hits while striking out four. Marlow however fell victim to some tough luck in the 6th as Cauthorn reached base on an infield single which was followed by a double which trickled down the left field line off a diving Cooksey’s glove by Josh Guy. Marlow struck out Luis Flores for the first out and intentionally walked Julian Lauren to load the bases. The Pilots opted to bring left hander Kevin Jewell out of the pen to try and escape the bases loaded one out jam. The move this time did not work in the Pilots favor as Devito sent a 2-1 fastball down the right field line for a two RBI double which gave the Reddies a 3-2 lead. Spradlin followed with a potential sacrifice fly to right field but Lauren was caught tagging from third after Moro delivered a perfect strike to the plate where Stebbings tagged out Lauren to end the inning.

The 6th inning defensive play by Moro kept the Pilots within one run, and then a two out RBI single to left field by Moro tied the game at 3-3 and forced extra innings.

After Jewel completed a scoreless 7th inning, Stebbings led off the 8th with a double to left field. The Pilots moved him to third base with a sacrifice bunt, but Reddies reliever Josh Flemming struckout Quenton Shamsabody and forced a McGhee fly out to end the inning.

It looked as though all were lost for the Pilots in the bottom of the 8th as Guy and Flores scorched back-to-back singles off Pilots reliever Blake Pinkston. Lauren moved both runners with a sacrifice but which was followed by an intentional walk by the Pilots to Devito to load the bases. Spradlin delivered a line drive to right field which was caught by Moro who once again delivered a strike to home which kept Lauren from scoring from third base. Pinkston managed to strikeout the hot hitting Sheppard to end the Reddies rally.

A scoreless 9th was followed by a two run 10th inning by the Pilots. Ledet scored all the way from first after Cooksey delivered a single to left which hopped over Spradlin’s glove giving the Pilots a 4-3 lead. LSUS received some more help off the bench, this time from the bat of freshman Bobby Hebert who doubled to left field scoring Cooksey from second in his first official collegiate at bat, stretching the Pilots lead to 5-3.

LSUS brought on senior right hander Daniel Welch to preserve the 5-3 lead in the 10th, but Welch was greeted by a leadoff homerun to center field by Guy which cut the lead to 5-4. Welch however settled in and retired the next three hitters in order collecting his first save of the season.

Pinkston (1-0) was the winning pitcher off record. He allowed two hits and one walk while striking out two in 2.0 innings of work.

Ledet led the Pilots offense with a 2-for-4 effort at the plate which included two runs scored. Talley finished 1-for-1 with a double and two RBI, while Hebert finished with what turned out to be the game winning RBI double in the 10th inning.

The Pilots will now look to take their 7-1 record into Gulf Coast Athletic Conference action this weekend as they will travel to Mobile, AL to take on the Spring Hill College Badgers in a three game series beginning Friday afternoon. Game one is scheduled for 6:00pm, however, Pilots fans need to keep a close eye on the website for schedule changes due to weather. Fans who cannot make the trip to SHC can catch all the action live with Team Line broadcasting and the voice of the Pilots Mark Cantrell. Just click on the Team Line listen live logo at www.lsus.edu/baseball.

Pilots staff tosses two hitter in 14-1 victory over LC

FEBRUARY 13, 2007

Shreveport, LA---On a night when the temperature felt as low as 27 degrees, the LSUS Pilots pitching staff allowed just two hits in 7.0 innings of work in a 14-1 mercy rule victory over the Louisiana College Wildcats (2-2).

Juan Leon (2-0) made his second start of the season for the Pilots Tuesday night and did not get off to a perfect start. Hunter White delivered a one out single to center field in the top of the 1st inning to get things going for the Wildcats. Hunter eventually scored after a wild pitch and a misplayed grounder by Pilots third baseman Bryan Cooksey marking LC’s lone run of the contest.

LSUS quickly regained the lead in their half of the 1st inning. Chris Frye scored David McGhee from third base with an RBI ground out to second base. The Pilots plated their second run after the Pilots put on a double steal with runners on the corners scoring Frye from third for a 2-1 LSUS lead.

The Pilots added a solo run in the bottom of the 2nd inning after starting second baseman Andrew Blubaugh dropped down a squeeze bunt which scored Jeff Ledet from third base.

Blubaugh capped a five run bottom of the 3rd inning for the Pilots with a two out, two RBI single to right field to stretch the Pilots lead to 8-1.

LSUS added six more runs in the bottom of the 5th which was highlighted by Blubaugh’s second to out, two RBI single to left field scoring Colin Moro and Bryan Stebbings.

Leon made gave way to Pilots reliever Paul Marlow in the 6th inning after completing 5.0 innings of work in which he allowed just one hit, one unearned run, and two walks while striking out five.

Marlow pitched a perfect 6th inning and was relieved by JV Laffitte in the top of the 7th.

Laffitte allowed a leadoff double to Trent Marlbrough and followed with a wild pitch advancing Marlbrough to third base with no out. The hard throwing sophomore however pitched his way out of the jam by striking out the side.

Taylor Brooks (1-1) suffered the loss after allowing three runs (one earned) in 2.0 innings of work.

The LSUS offense collected 11 hits on the night while scoring a season high 14 runs. Blubaugh finished 2-for-2 with a game high five RBI and a run scored. Brandon Magierowski bumped his season average to .444 after a 2-for-3 performance at the plate which included an RBI and two runs scored. Frye added his team leading fourth triple of the season in the 5th inning and finished 1-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored.

Tuesday’s contest marked the Pilots last home game until March 16th when they will play host to Belhaven College in a Gulf Coast Athletic Conference three game series. LSUS will be idle until next Tuesday when they will travel to Arkadelphia, AR to take on Henderson State University in double header action First pitch is slated for 1:00pm.

LSUS Baseball Teams Up With Teamline for Broadcast

FEBRUARY 13, 2007

The LSUS Baseball Internet broadcasts has teamed up with Teamline. Teamline is a broadcast company especially for play-by-play internet broadcasts. This new venture for the Pilots broadcasting team should be a much easier way to successfully complete the broadcasts with no delays.

Teamline will serve as the host of the LSUS Baseball broadcasts for the rest of the season. You can listen to the games live on-line for free or $25 per game by phone if you are traveling. Listen to LSUS Pilots Baseball broacast with Teamline and ENJOY the game!

Pilots take two of three from Lions

FEBRUARY 1, 2007

Shreveport, LA---After dropping game one of the three game series 6-2 to the Lindenwood University Lions Friday night, the LSUS Pilots (5-1) responded with back-to-back wins, including a 6-1 game three victory Sunday afternoon to take the weekend series 2-1.

The Pilots sent senior right hander Daniel Welch (1-0) to the mound for game three. Welch led the Pilots to victory allowing one run after scattering seven hits through 7.0 innings of work for the Pilots Sunday afternoon.

After two scoreless innings, Pilots third baseman Bryan Cooksey sparked the Pilots offense with a leadoff double to left- center field. Andrew Blubaugh sacrificed Cooksey to third base which was followed by an RBI triple to left by David McGhee putting the Pilots ahead 1-0. Brandon Magierowski followed with an RBI single stretching the Pilots lead to 2-0.

The Pilots squandered a scoring opportunity in the bottom of the 5th after Cooksey doubled to right field and advanced to third base on a Blubaugh sacrifice bunt. McGhee followed with a fly ball to short center field to Corey Hill who threw a perfect strike to the plate to keep the Pilots from scoring on a tag play from third base.

The Lions momentum carried over to the top half of the 6th as Ryan Kopp and Chris Bielski collected back to back singles. Kopp advanced to third on a passed ball and later scored on a Travis McConell RBI ground out. LSUS however responded with a rally of their own in the bottom of the 6th when they chased Lions starter John Sternberg from the mound after collecting four hits and four stolen bases which led to four runs and a 6-1 lead.

Victor Hernandez took over in relief for Welch in the 8th and threw two scoreless innings to preserve the Pilots 6-1 lead.

Sternberg (1-1) allowed six runs on nine hits through 5.1 innings of work in the losing effort. Kopp led the Lions offense with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate and scored the lone Lions run.

The Pilots scattered 13 hits, one from each player in the starting line-up with the exception Blubaugh who never recorded an official at bat. Cooksey and Brent Lavalee each finished 2-for-4 with two doubles. Magierowski and Frye also added two hits a piece with an RBI and a run scored.

LSUS will return to action Tuesday night at Pilots Field when they will play host to the Louisiana College Wildcats. First pitch is slated for 6:30pm.

Pilots split double-header with Lions

FEBRUARY 11, 2007

Shreveport, LA---Saturday afternoon saw two undefeated Top 30 NAIA squads in action on Pilots Field in double-header action. The LSUS Pilots (3-1) dropped game one 6-2 to the Lindenwood University Lions (5-1), but responded in a big way with a 10-0 victory in the night cap.

LSUS struck first in game one after Brandon Magierowski belted a double to right center field of Lions starter Eric Hullinger, and later scored on an RBI triple by Chris Frye.

The Lions answered with a run of their own in the second and another in the fourth after an RBI ground out by Travis Hull scored Chris Getz from third base.

Pilots starting left hander Kevin Jewell (0-1) gave way to Paul Marlow in the 5th inning after allowing two runs on four hits, two walks, and five strikeouts.

Marlow pitched a scoreless 5th but fell victim to a two out four run outburst by the Lions. Hull singled home Ryan Kopp from third base which was followed by a Chase Jennings bobble and a wild throw from Pilots first baseman Quinton Shamsabody allowing Chris Getz to score. Corey Hill followed with a two out RBI single to center pushing the Lions lead to 6-1.

LSUS mustered a single run in the bottom of the 7th making the final score 6-2 as the Pilots suffered their first loss of the season.

Eric Hullinger (2-0) scattered seven hits and two walks in 6.0 innings pitched for the win. Marty Clements and Kopp each collected two hits and combined for three runs scored to lead the Lions offense. Magierowski finished 2-for-4 at the plate which included two doubles and the Pilots lone two runs scored. Colin Moro and Frye each added one hit and an RBI.

In game two, the Pilots offense erupted for six runs in the bottom of the 4th inning chasing Lions starter Nate Eisenbeis (1- 1) from the mound who allowed seven runs on five hits in 3.2 innings of work.

The 4th inning was highlighted by a triple from Ricky Sanders and a three-run homerun off the bat of Frye which pushed the Pilots lead to 8-0.

Pilots starter Matt Clayman (1-0) breezed through the Lions hitters allowing just three hits while striking out 13 in 6.0 innings of work.

The Pilots added two more runs in the bottom of the 6th after David McGhee belted his second triple of the season to left- center field and scored one batter later after Magierowski delivered a sacrifice fly to right field. Frye and Colin Moro followed with back-to-back doubles for the Pilots 10th run.

Frye led the Pilots offense with a 2-for-4 effort which included three RBI and two runs scored. McGhee finished 2-for-3 at the plate and scored three runs while Sanders added a pair of hits and two runs scored.

The LSUS bullpen allowed just three hits in 3.0 innings of work. JV Laffitte made his first appearance of the season for the Pilots and tossed a perfect 9th inning, striking out all three batters he faced.

The Pilots and Lions will meet again for game three Sunday afternoon at Pilots Field. First pitch is slated for 1:00pm.

Pilots steal two from Steers

FEBRUARY 06, 2007

Shreveport, LA---The 2007 version of the LSUS Pilots (2-0) baseball team took the field Tuesday afternoon for their season opener against the Texas College Steers (0-4). The Pilots belted four triples and stole nine bases in game one en route to an 8-2 victory. In game two, the Pilots combined for 12 stolen bases and received a dominant pitching performance from junior right hander Juan Leon who collected seven strikeouts in 4.0 innings of work, and swept the two game set with a 9-1 victory.

The Pilots sent 6’6 junior right hander Mark Dainty to the mound for game one. Dainty began his career in a Pilot uniform by promptly striking out the side in the top of the 1st inning.

The Pilots offense erupted for four runs in the first inning which was highlighted by back-to-back triples by Chris Frye and Colin Moro. LSUS added a solo run in the 2nd inning after senior shortstop Brandon Magierowski belted a triple to deep left-center field, and later scored on a sacrifice fly by freshman second baseman Chase Jennings. Nicholas Pena collected the Steers first hit in the top of the 4th after sending a Dainty offering to deep left field. Jared Munce followed with a bloop-RBI single to left field by which cut the Pilots lead to 6-1.

The Pilots responded with a solo run of their own in the bottom of the 4th after David McGhee belted a one out triple to right center field, and scored on a two out RBI double by Frye stretching making the score 7-1.

Pena added his second double of the game in the 6th inning and later scored on a Daniel Treat RBI single to left field off Pilots reliever Paul Marlow cutting the lead to 7-2.

The Pilots would add a solo run in the bottom of the 6th and sent senior right hander Matt Clayman to the mound in the 7th. Clayman preserved the 8-2 victory by striking out the side.

Dainty (1-0) allowed one run on two hits in 4.0 innings of work. He added six strikeouts while walking one.

Frye led the Pilots offense with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate which included three RBI and a run scored. Magierowski also finished with two hits and three runs scored while adding two stolen bases.

In game two the Pilots combined a solid starting pitching performance with aggressive base running and timely hitting to take game two by a final score of 9-1.

Leon (1-0) allowed just two hits and one unearned run while striking out seven in 4.0 innings of work.

LSUS jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first and added four more runs in the 3rd which was highlighted by a two RBI triple to right-center field by freshman left fielder Josh Todd which put the Pilots ahead 7-1.

The running game was led by McGhee and Moro who combined for six of the Pilots 12 stolen bases in the victory. Designated hitter Scott Talley led the Pilots offense with a 2-for-4 effort at the plate which included an RBI and a run scored.

A trio of Pilots relievers tossed three shutout innings in game two. Victor Hernandez took the mound for the first time in a Pilots uniform and tossed a perfect 5th inning. Blake Pinkston finished a scoreless 6th before handing the ball off to Kevin Jewell who struck out the side in the 7th.

The Pilots will now look forward to hosting Lindenwood University (4-0) this upcoming weekend in a three game series at Pilots Field. Game one of Saturday’s double header is scheduled for 4:00pm. Game three is scheduled for 1:00pm Sunday afternoon.

For those who cannot attend, please tune into a live broadcast with the voice of the Pilots Mark Cantrell who will be calling all the live action. Just visit www.lsus.edu/baseball/ and click the “Listen Live” icon on the bottom left on the page.

Opening weekend for the Pilots cancelled due to inclement weather

JANUARY 31, 2007

Shreveport, LA---The No. 13 LSUS Pilots were scheduled to take on No.7 Lubbock Christian University in a three game series beginning Friday afternoon in Lubbock, TX. Due to the anticipation of inclement weather, the games have been cancelled and will not be rescheduled because of scheduling conflicts between the two teams.

The Pilots will now have the opportunity to play their 2007 season opener on their home turf February 6th in the form of a double-header against the Texas College Wildcats at Pilots Field. Both games are seven inning contests with game one beginning at 4:00pm.