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LEWISTON, Idaho - (Box
Score)
For the second time in as many days, No.
1 LSU Shreveport comes from behind to
eliminate third-seeded Oklahoma City,
5-4, on Tuesday at the 2012 Avista-NAIA
World Series. The victory propels the
Pilots into the round of four for the
second-straight season, while Oklahoma
City's season comes to a close.
LSU Shreveport's upcoming opponent will
be determined later this evening by the
World Series Games Committee.
The Pilots' (53-5) late inning heroics
began in the top of the eighth when Greg
Friesen (pictured above) blasted a solo home run off the
hitter's eye in center field, tying the
game 4-4.
In the bottom half of the inning,
Oklahoma City (48-12) had runners on
first and second with no outs after the
LSU Shreveport left fielder had a lazy
fly ball bounce off his glove. However,
the Stars were unable to capitalize as
pinch hitter Kyle Lacy struck out on a
high fastball and Chad Carman ground
into a fielder's choice to end the
inning.
LSU Shreveport threatened immediately in
the ninth as Stephen Hobbins walked and
Kade Billeaudeaux reached first via an
infield hit, putting runners at first
and second with only one out. Moments
later, Jacob Lopez - pinch runner for
Hobbins - stole third without a throw
from Oklahoma City catcher Carman. Then
with a 3-2 count, Brandon Cooksey
rocketed a ball down the third baseline
that was gloved by a diving Jonathan
Sigado, who scrambled to his feet to get
the out at second base. However, Brian
Fisher's throw sailed high and out of
play, allowing Lopez's to score from
third and give the Pilots the 5-4 lead.
A one-out walk put the tying run on
first for the Stars in the bottom of the
ninth, but a ground out and strike out
ended the threat, and the season, for
Oklahoma City.
Pilot starter Logan Norris allowed four
runs on seven hits over eight innings en
route to his ninth victory of the
season. He also struck out a game-high
six batters, while walking four. Relief
pitcher Cam Ellis and Jake Kight
combined for a scoreless ninth inning.
Kight, who recorded the final out on a
strikeout, was credited with his fourth
save.
LSU Shreveport edged Oklahoma City, 8-7,
in the hit column, led by Friesen's two
hits - both home runs. Additionally,
Friesen posted a game-high four RBIs,
while also scoring two runs.
Billeaudeaux was the only other
multi-hit performer for the Pilots.
Patrick Goelz fell to 2-2 on the year
for Oklahoma City. He was pitching in
relief of Cody Cradaugh who pitched 6.2
scoreless inning after taking over for
starter Ryan Gibson.
The Pilots drew first blood in the first
when Friesen sent a three-run home run
over the right field wall. However,
Oklahoma City would chip away with a run
in the first and second before Miguel
Beltran belted his NAIA-leading 27th
home run of the season to give the Stars
a 4-3 lead in the fifth. The score would
remain 4-3 until the Pilots knotted the
score in the eighth and took the lead in
the ninth.
Chris Munoz led the Stars with two hits,
while Beltran's two RBIs in the fifth
were also a team-high.
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