Pilots Fall to Jaguars and Generals in RRAC Tournament Play

Sterlington, Louisiana--- The Pilots baseball team ended their run in the RRAC Conference Tournament Monday afternoon as they fell to both the Jaguars of Houston-Victoria, 9-8, and the Generals of LSUA, 8-7. With the losses the Pilots fall to an overall record of 44-8.

The Pilots opened up the day against the Jaguars after having their game delayed due to weather. They jumped on the board early in the first as Ryan Major scored on an Eric Worden triple. The Jaguars were quick to regain the run in the bottom of the inning to tie the game back at one. The Pilots were able to score again in the top of the third as, again, Worden scored Major. The Jaguars broke open the bottom of the inning however stealing the lead and scoring five runs.

The score remained 6-2 until the top of the seventh where the Pilots found a bit of a groove. The Pilot loaded the bases before one run was walked in. Trevor Burkhart scored another shortly after bringing the score to 6-4. Major scored the two remaining runners to tie the game up at six before the top of the inning ended. The Jaguars weren't done yet though, and again added two runs to their tally in the bottom of the inning before silencing the Pilots in the top of the eighth. The Jaguars collected one more run in the bottom of the inning sending the Pilots to the plate with one more opportunity.

Worden walked to start the ninth before Ryan Davenport doubled down the left field line. Carlos Pineyro followed with a double of his own to score the two runners putting the Pilots just one run behind. The Pilots saw their winning streak snapped as the Jaguars collected the final two outs of the game.

The Pilots took to game two against the Generals trying to keep themselves in the RRAC tournament shortly after the end of game one. The Generals were the first to strike in the game collecting two runs in the bottom of the first inning, but it wouldn't be until the third that the Pilots would finally get on the board. Josh Gibson reached second with a hit back up the middle before Burkhart reached on an error. Major used a single of his own to score Gibson before the inning was retired, the Pilots down 2-1. The Pilots then took the lead in fourth as they added two more runs to the board, but it was short lived as the Generals collected two more as well.

Gibson tied it up for the Pilots in the top of the sixth as his quick feet allowed him to reach home on a passed ball before the Pilots took the lead once more in the seventh with two more runs, 6-4. The Generals were quick at the plate and put two runners on before a homerun would take the lead from the Pilots once again, 7-6. The Generals added their final run in the bottom of the eighth as they looked to keep the Pilots at bay.

The Pilots had hope in the ninth however, when Miguel Vega put a solo shot over the left field fence, putting the Pilots just one run behind. But the run would never come as the Generals retired the Pilots from the RRAC Tournament.

The Pilots will be back in action May 15^th as they open up the NAIA Opening Round in Shreveport. Opponent and game time will be released May 11^th.

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