No. 2 Pilots Continue Historic Program Winning Streak With Comeback Win Over Southwest

Sterlington, Louisiana--- The Pilots baseball team continues to boost their record as they put together the longest winning streak in program history. With Friday nights RRAC tournament opening win over the Mustangs of Southwest the Pilots set the new record for the longest winning streak in program history at 24. The Pilots took down the Mustangs in a tough head-to-head match up where the Pilots came out victorious 4-3. With the win the Pilots imporve to an overall record of 43-6 on the season.

The Pilots and Mustangs clashed Friday evening as they went scoreless through the first two innings of play with neither team able to create a real scoring opportunity. The third inning became a faceoff however, and was where the game truly began. An early walk, put a runner on for the Mustangs in the top of the inning, but Bobby Vath was able to successfully pull off a pick-off attempt and removed the threat. The Mustangs were not discouraged and used back-to-back home runs to take the first lead of the game. The Pilots broke the shutout in the bottom of the fourth as Carlos Pineyro, who had doubled to left field, came home off of a Zyon Avery single.

The two teams continued back in fourth, but neither side could get started offensively and sat silent through the fifth and sixth innings. The Pilots recovered in the seventh as Ryan Davenport doubled to left center before Trevor Burkhart reached base on an error. A sac fly from Ryan Major brought Davenport home before Aj Fritz doubled down the line to bring Burkhart in and take the lead 3-2. Christian Webb added to the lead for the Pilots in the bottom of the eighth as he sent a solo shot far over the fence, the Pilots leading 4-2. The Mustangs tried to recover in the top of the ninth as they added a run, but Chase Guitreau struck out the final man at the plate to send the Mustangs down to the loser's bracket.

The Pilots pitching staff combined for nine innngs of work and nine strike outs. Bobby Vath got the start for the Pilts throwing seven innings and collecting seven strikeouts. The sophomore pitcher scattered six hits and gave up two runs before Alex Gonzalez took over. Gonzalez started the eighth getting two outs before Gage Bihm closed out the inning with a strikeout. Chase Guitreau ended the game for the Pilots getting an strikeout of his own and retiring the Mustangs.

The Pilots will be back in action Saturday May 6th for Day Two of the RRAC Baseball Championships. First pitch is set for 5:00pm CT from Sterlington Sports Complex as the Pilots take on the Generals of LSUA.