Pilots Drop First Game of Opening Round

Bossier City, LA - In a knockdown drag out fight in the first game of the NAIA Opening Round of the Shreveport Bracket, the Pilots lost to Talladega College by a score of 5-6. The loss moves the Pilots record to 42-10. 

The Pilots and the Tornadoes played the tightest game of the tournament so far. In a tournament that had to be postponed by rain and ultimately moved to Bossier Parish Community College because of field conditions, LSUS and Talladega went to extra innings before it was decided in the 10th by a Talladega home run. Throughout the game, LSUS had opportunities and would find themselves with the bases loaded and no outs, down one in the fifth. However, two quick outs would put the threat in danger, but a bases loaded walk would tie the game. Talladega would score one in the seventh, but a Jose Aquino single would score Josh Gibson, and a Chrisitian Hobbs single would score Brandon Valdez giving LSUS a one run lead. In the top of the ninth, up one run, LSUS would give up a game tying home run, but LSUS would again threaten in the bottom of the ninth when Vantrel Reed would find himself on third with two outs. A groundout would end the threat and send it to the tenth. Another Talladega home run would give them the lead and the win. However, this isn't the first time LSUS has found themeselves in this situation. In 2022, the Pilots fought their way through the losers bracker and made their fifth trip to the NAIA World Series. They will look to rally and do it again.

Trevor Burkhart and Gibson would both double, while Austin Gomm would hit the only homer for the Pilots. Gomm and Aquino would both drive in two runs and Hobbs would drive in the other. 

LSUS will return to action today in an elimination game against the no. 2 seeded Concordina (Neb.) Bulldogs at 1pm at BPCC. The winner will play again at 4pm. 

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