Pilots Split Opening Day at Cajun Collision
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
No. 25 Central Methodist (MO) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 0 |
|
LSU Shreveport | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
No. 19 Mid-America Christian | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 0 |
|
LSU Shreveport | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 4 |
STERLINGTON, La. -- LSU Shreveport baseball opened the Cajun Collision Tournament in Sterlington with a split on Friday, falling 4-3 to Central Methodist (Mo.) in Game 1 before rallying past Mid-America Christian, 6-5, in Game 2.
Game 1 – Central Methodist 4, LSUS 3
Central Methodist used timely hitting and a late run to edge the Pilots in the opener.
The Eagles struck in the third inning when Zeb Wede delivered an RBI single to score Gavin Whitehurst. Later in the frame, Justin Smith added a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0.
LSUS responded in the bottom half as Carlos Sanchez lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home a run and cut into the deficit.
After CMU added another run in the fourth, the Pilots answered in the sixth. Makana Olaso doubled to spark the inning, and Spencer Sullivan followed with an RBI double to tie the game at 3-3. Central Methodist regained the lead in the seventh when Dariel Rios scored on a wild pitch.
LSUS threatened in the bottom of the seventh as Sanchez drew a walk and Nazir Mendez was hit by a pitch, but the tying run was left stranded.
Game 2 – LSUS 6, Mid-America Christian 5
The Pilots responded with a dramatic comeback in the nightcap.
Mid-America Christian built a 5-2 lead behind RBIs from Jalen King, Nick Hill, and Frank Giacalone.
LSUS trailed 5-2 entering the bottom of the seventh before mounting a two-out rally. Landon Hunt singled to spark the inning, and the Pilots loaded the bases with help from Makana Olaso, Bronson Neave, and Aiden McGinnis.
With two outs, Spencer Sullivan delivered the decisive swing — a bases-clearing triple to center field that scored Hunt, Kobe White, and McGinnis to give LSUS a 6-5 lead. Sullivan was tagged out at third on the play for the final out of the game, but not before sealing the comeback victory.
Sullivan finished 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored, while David Hankins earned the win in relief.
LSUS (1-1) will return to action Saturday with another doubleheader, facing Dakota State University at 2:30 p.m. before taking on Missouri Baptist at 6 p.m. in Sterlington.
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