GAME 1
The first game ended up a pitcher's duel as neither team could get the big hit when they needed it as both squads left eight runners stranded. The Pilots won the battle at the dish as they out hit the Knights nine to six.
Jeff Nadeau (4-0) picked up the win on the hill for the Pilots as he tossed five and a third, allowing five hits and three runs. Nadeau struck out six and walked four.
Turner Brasher (1) picked up his first save of the year as he retired the Knights with the bases loaded to end the game. Brasher struck out two batters in an inning and a third.
"Jeff has come up big for us in our big games and he shut down another good team today. Turner did a great job out of the pen again and made good pitches when he needed to and got the job done," said head coach Rocke Musgraves.
The Pilots got on the board in the first after two walks Kevin Smith hit his 12th home run of the year to give the Pilots a 3-0 lead until the third inning when Brandon Bravata hit a lead-off solo-homer to left field, his fifth of the year to extend the lead to 4-0 after two and a half.
Northwood added a pair of runs in the third inning with an RBI-groundout and then a RBI-single from Justin Coats to cut the LSUS' lead in half, 4-2 after three complete innings of play.
The Knights scored another run in the fourth after a sacrifice fly from Shane Bagley to trim the Pilot lead to one, 4-3 after four complete.
The Pilots added a run in the fifth as Kevin Smith drove in his fourth run of the game with an RBI-single to right field to give the Pilots a two-run lead, 5-3.
Northwood trimmed the game to one in the sixth with an RBI-double from Humberto Miranda.
Northwood left the bases loaded in the last of the seventh as Darby Walker popped out to Kevin Smith to win the game for the Pilots.
Kevin Smith led the Pilots at the plate as he was two for four with a three-run homer. Smith drove in four for the Pilots and he also made the final out of the game as he was the difference maker.
"I'm proud of our guys for fighting for the win. We still need to work on getting the big hit in the game as we stranded too many on the bases. Smith was on a tear and is starting to hit the ball the other way and went opo today for his home run," said Coach Musgraves.
Brandon Bravata was two for three with a home run, a walk, and three runs scored.
GAME 2
The Pilots dominated the Knights in the final game as they out hit the Knights 17-10 and won by a final score of 20-7.
Cole Newell (5-1) picked up the win for the Pilots after tossing three and a third with five strike outs. Richard Pharr and Trevor Stennett got the Pilots the rest of the way as the two only allowed two runs in the final innings.
"It was another great job by our pitchers; Newell did a great job and then Pharr and Stennett at the end. Our starters and bullpen are coming together which sets us up for the post season," said Coach Musgraves.
LSUS scored five runs in the top of the first to take the early lead as Andrew Brouillette drove in a run with a single. Then Chase Wentz got an RBI on a groundout. Later Matt Bagley drove in two with a single to left center field.
Northwood got a lead-off homer from J P Cazares to start the first. The Knights then added three in the second after a three-run home run from Adam Humes to trim the Pilot lead to one, 5-4 after two complete innings of play.
The Pilots got another two-run single from Matt Bagley as he drove in his fourth run of the game to extend the lead to 7-4 in the third inning. Later in the inning Andrew Brouillette singled home another run as the Pilots took an 8-4 lead after two and a half.
John James started the fourth inning with his second homer of the year; a solo shot to extend the Pilot's lead to five, 9-4 after three and a half.
The Knights got another double from Justin Keithley in the fourth inning as he drove in a pair to trim the Pilots lead to three, 9-6 after four complete innings of play.
LSU Shreveport scored four runs in the fifth inning to take a 13-6 lead. After a hit-by-pitch scored the first run, David Bradley cleared the bases with a double off the left field wall to take wind out of the sail of the Knights.
The Pilots put seven runs on the board in the sixth including a two-run double from Kevin Smith and two two-run homers; one from John James, his second of the game and third of the season and the other from Matt Bagley, his fifth home run of the year. The Pilots extended their lead to 20-6.
Andrew Blubaugh was three for five with a double and scored three runs. Andrew Brouillette was two for three with two RBIs and three runs scored.
Kevin Smith drove in two with two doubles and was two for four while John James banged the ball around the yard with two home runs and was three for four with three RBIs.
Shawn Moy went two for four with two doubles and scored two runs while David Bradley drove in three with a double and was one for one.
Matt Bagley was three for four with an impressive six RBIs and a home run.
"Our hitters stepped up in game two. John James will probably figure into our offense for the rest of the season and Bagley continues to give us quality at-bats," said Coach Musgraves.
The next game for the Pilots will be this weekend on Friday as they begin their conference series with the Tougaloo Bulldogs.
