JOURNAL SPORTS
LSU Shreveport and Mid-America Christian, both ranked in the NAIA Top 25, collide in a pivotal 2:30 contest today at Pilot Field on Day 2 of the Opening Round Shreveport Bracket after both teams posted tense one-run wins Monday.
The Pilots (42-12) prevailed 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth Monday night over fourth-seeded Oklahoma Wesleyan when Spencer Sullivan striking out provided the chance for speedster Quaterrion Walton to score the winning run.
The Evangels (40-13) won a pitching duel by building a 3-1 lead with an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth, and dodging a bases-loaded rally by Loyola’s Wolf Pack in the top of the ninth, surrendering just one run to escape with a 3-2 victory Monday afternoon.
LSUS was No. 12 and Mid-America Christian stood 18th in the final NAIA Top 25 poll as the regular season concluded.
Two of the five teams in the Shreveport Bracket will be ousted today in the double-elimination format. Loyola and Game 1 loser Huston-Tillotson meet at 11 with only the winner moving forward. After LSUS and Mid-America Christian play, Oklahoma Wesleyan faces the Loyola-Huston-Tillotson survivor, with the loser of the night game also sent home.
The Pilots had a rousing celebration Monday night because Sullivan struck out – and Walton took advantage of a dubious defensive decision by the Oklahoma Wesleyan catcher.
The losers had scored three times in the top of the eighth to forge a 4-all tie, and left the go-ahead run stranded at third in the ninth.
Sullivan fanned on a breaking ball in the dirt, which because it was not fielded cleanly by the catcher, gave the LSUS hitter the opportunity to race to first base and reach on an error.
Walton had reached with a one-out base hit, then moved to third on a double by Dorien Jackson. When Sullivan struck out, he sprinted toward first and the catcher threw that way trying to record the second out.
Walton immediately broke for home and slid in head first before Oklahoma Wesleyan could even get the ball back to the plate.
“We’ve got a guy who runs a 6.4 60 (-yard dash) at third. If (the catcher) throws it to first, we’re scoring automatically,” said LSUS pitcher Brock Lucas, who gave up only a run in a seven-inning start, departing up 4-1.
Walton didn’t hesitate to head home once the throw went to first. He also didn’t hesitate to say the Pilots need a better performance today against Mid-America Christian.
“We’ve got to do a much better job tomorrow. Any win in the postseason is good for us, but we’re going to come back better tomorrow and see what we can do,” said Walton.
Monday’s scores
Oklahoma Wesleyan 8, Huston-Tillotson 0
Mid-America Christian 3, Loyola 2
LSUS 5, Oklahoma Wesleyan 4
Today’s games
No. 3 Loyola (36-18) vs. No. 5 Huston-Tillotson (33-19), 11 a.m. (elimination game)
No. 1 LSUS (42-12) vs. No. 2 Mid-America Christian (40-13), 2:30
No. 4 Oklahoma Wesleyan (37-18) vs. winner Loyola vs. Huston-Tillotson, 6 p.m. (elimination game)