JOURNAL STAFF
MidAmerica Nazarene scored runs in four of the first five innings and upset top-seed and No. 2 ranked LSUS 6-4 in Monday night’s final game of the Shreveport Bracket in the Opening Round of the NAIA National Baseball Tournament at LSUS.
MidAmerica, the No. 4 seed, scored two runs in the first inning and added single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings en route to taking a 5-1 lead into the eighth inning. The Pilots scored a pair of runs on doubles by AJ Fritz and Vantrel Reed to get within 5-3 in the eighth but could get no closer as both teams posted single runs in the ninth.
Designated hitter Miguel Vega was 3-for-3 with a double to lead LSUS while Reed was 2-for-3 and Fritz 2-for-5 and two RBIs. Red River Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year Bobby Vath suffered the loss to drop his record to 12-3 on the season.
MidAmerica was led at the plate by Brycen Sherwood who had a home run and was 2-for-3 and scored three times. Joey Calamaio was the only other Pioneer with multiple hits with two in four at bats. Zach Trevino picked up the win working seven innings, allowing six hits, two earned runs, walking just one as he struck out six.
The game was delayed for over 90 minutes by lighting in the top of the ninth. The Pilots did get the tying run to the plate in the bottom half, but two strikeouts ended the contest.
The Pilots will play in an elimination round game at 6 tonight.
