LSUS Sweeps Doubleheader Against No. 14 Central Methodist, Improves to 16-0

SHREVEPORT, La. – The LSU Shreveport Pilots continued their dominant start to the season, sweeping a doubleheader against No. 14 Central Methodist University on Saturday afternoon. With a 4-3 win in Game 1 and a 9-5 victory in Game 2, the Pilots improved to a perfect 16-0 on the season.

Game 1: Pilots Rally Late to Edge Eagles, 4-3

After falling behind early, LSUS clawed back to take a narrow victory in the opener. Central Methodist (CMU) struck first in the top of the first inning with Ryan Malzahn's RBI triple scoring Peyton Becker. The Eagles added another run in the fifth when Tanner Sears singled home Kyle Williams to extend their lead to 2-0.

The Pilots (LSUS) answered back in the bottom half of the fifth, as Josh Gibson delivered an RBI single to plate Deyven White. Gibson later stole third and scored on a throwing error to tie the game at 2-2. The momentum carried into the sixth when Diego Aragon laced a two-run single up the middle, scoring Jackson Syring and Ian Montz to give LSUS a 4-2 advantage.

CMU fought back in the seventh, but Lex Meinderts shut the door to earn his first save of the season. Kenneth Schechter (1-0) picked up the win in relief, while LSUS starter Isaac Rohde provided a solid five-inning outing, allowing just two runs on three hits. CMU's Foster Seitz (1-2) took the loss, allowing four runs over 5.2 innings.

Game 2: Power Surge Propels Pilots to 9-5 Victory

LSUS wasted no time in Game 2, exploding for five runs in the first inning. Angel Rodriguez got the scoring started with an RBI single, followed by Ian Montz's two-run triple. Jose Sallorin capped off the frame with a two-run homer to give the Pilots a commanding 5-0 lead.

Draven Zeigler (5-0) delivered a dominant performance on the mound, striking out eight over five innings while allowing just one run on three hits. CMU managed to chip away, scoring in the fourth and sixth, but the Pilots put the game away with a three-run sixth inning highlighted by Rodriguez's two-run home run.

Rodriguez finished with two hits, two runs, three RBIs, and a home run, while Jackson Syring added two hits, two runs, and three RBIs with three stolen bases. Sallorin also contributed with a home run and two RBIs.

Lex Meinderts earned his second save of the day coming in with the tying run on deck in the eighth inning. Meinderts picked up three more strikeouts in 1.1 innings to close it out.

For CMU, Tyler Coakley (0-2) struggled on the mound, allowing five runs in the first inning as the Pilots ran away with the win.

With the doubleheader sweep, LSUS looks to complete the series sweep on Sunday in the series finale against CMU. First pitch is set for noon at Pilot Field.

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