Pilots Slide Past the Saints for a Series Sweep

Shreveport, Louisiana— In an exciting doubleheader on Sunday, the Pilot baseball team showcased their resilience and dominance, sweeping the Saints of Our Lady of the Lake with scores of 3-2 and 2-0. With the wins the Pilots moved to 19-2 overall and 11-1 in conference play.  

Game one started with an early offensive surge from the Saints, as they compiled two runs in the top of the first inning, putting the Pilots on the defensive. Despite the pressure, the Pilots managed to escape the inning without further damage and held the Saints scoreless for the next three innings. 

Trailing 2-0, the Pilots found their rhythm in the bottom of the fourth inning. With two outs, Ryan Davenport came through with a clutch single to keep the inning alive. Then, Austin Gomm delivered a powerful shot over the left-field fence, knotting the score at 2-2 and swinging the momentum in the Pilots' favor. 

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Pilots capitalized on their momentum, adding a crucial run to take the lead. A double from Josh Gibson put a runner in scoring position, and Vantrel Reed's single provided the chance to advance. Reed provided enough distraction in a stolen base attempt for Gibson to slide in safely, giving the Pilots a 3-2 advantage. 

With their solid defense and timely hitting, the Pilots held the Saints scoreless for the remainder of the game, securing the hard-fought victory. Standout performances came from Josh Gibson, Ryan Davenport, and Austin Gomm, each contributing key hits and runs to the Pilots' offensive effort. Isaac Rohde earned the start and the win for the Pilots, delivering a stellar performance on the mound with five innings of work, eight strikeouts, and only two runs allowed. 

In game two of the doubleheader, the Pilots wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, scoring a run in the first inning. Josh Gibson drew a walk and then showcased his speed by stealing second base. Trevor Burkhart followed up with a double, driving in Gibson for an early lead. The Pilots added an insurance run in the bottom of the fourth inning, with Carter LaValley bringing Brandon Valdez home to extend their lead to 2-0. 

The Pilots' pitching staff continued to dominate, with AJ Fritz leading the charge in game two. Fritz delivered a commanding performance on the mound, pitching five innings, striking out nine batters, and surrendering just one hit to shut down the Saints' offense. 

With strong pitching and timely hitting, the Pilots secured a clean sweep in the doubleheader, showcasing their depth and determination on both sides of the ball. 

The Pilots will be back in action Friday March 15th as they face the Gold Rush of Xavier (LA). The first pitch of game one is set for 6:00pm CT from Pilot Field in Shreveport, Louisiana. 

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