April 27, 2008

SHREVEPORT, La. - The No. 21 LSU-Shreveport Pilots earned the series win and wrapped up sole possession of second place in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference standings with a split in Saturday's doubleheader (April 26) versus the No. 6 Mobile (Ala.) Rams.

LSUS fell in game one, 4-3, but responded with their second victory in three games versus the No. 6 ranked team in the NAIA, 12-6, in the night cap.

Andrew Brouillette had a career day at the plate for the Pilots, reaching base safely in all nine plate appearances.  Brouillette finished the day 9-for-9 with eight singles, a double and five RBIs.

In the first game of the day, Mobile scored the game's first run in the top of the first when Nelson Curry scored on a RBI groundout by Jared Baria.  Curry led off the game with a walk, stole a base and scored from third two batters later after advancing on a sacrifice bunt.

The Pilots threatened in the bottom of the fourth with two on and no out, but were unable to scratch a run after Craig Barnes flied out to right and Jeff Ledet was thrown out tagging up on the play.

Mobile added two runs in the fifth and looked to score a bunch more, but the Pilots got out of a one out, bases-loaded jam giving up just the two runs.

Mobile tacked on a much-needed insurance run in the sixth, as the Pilots scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh and the Rams held on for the 4-3 victory.

Jesse Luker earned his tenth win of the season for the Rams, while Scott Mitchell picked up the save.

Andrew Brouillette had a perfect game one at the plate for the Pilots, going 4-for-4 with a RBI.

In game two, the Rams delivered the first blow with a two-run homer by Kevin Orso.  However, the Pilots answered with a single run in the first and three more in the second to take 4-2 lead.

LSUS extended their lead to three runs (5-2) on a RBI double by Brouillette, his third hit of the game and seventh consecutive hit on the afternoon.  Pinch-hitter Craig Barnes then lined a bases-loaded single into left field to give the Pilots a 7-2 advantage.

The Pilots scored two more in the bottom of the fifth on a wild throw to first by Mobile reliever Matthew Brown and another RBI base hit by Brouillette.

Mobile scored one in the sixth, two more in the eighth and one in the ninth, but it wasn't enough as the Pilots defeated the Rams, 12-6.

Pilot starter Justin Ennis pitched seven strong innings for the Pilots, as he picked up his fifth win of the season.  Ennis allowed just three runs, while scattering eight hits in the ballgame.

Brouillette finished game two 5-for-5 with four RBIs, while Jeffrey Garidel added two hits in the Pilot win.

LSUS (41-14) will enter next week's GCAC Tournament as the No. 2 seed.  The GCAC Tournament begins on April 30, with the Pilots opponent to be determined.