SHREVEPORT, La. – The Louisiana College baseball team battled through two completely different style games in a Saturday split with Centenary, dropping a pitcher's duel in game one, 3-1, before prevailing in an offensive shootout, 11-7, in the nightcap at Shehee Stadium.
Game 1 – Louisiana College 1, Centenary (La.) 3
In the seven-inning game one, the Gents put up single strokes in the first and third innings to build up a 2-0 lead before the Wildcats cut that lead in half in the fourth as
Dane Pedersen hit a sacrifice fly to right that allowed
Keelyn Johnson to tag from third and score to make it 2-1 after four.
It stayed that way into the sixth inning, where Centenary added an insurance run for the final tally and the win.
Five different Wildcats each had a base hit in game one, with Dane Pederson leading the way as he went one for two with as RBI coming on the sacrifice fly.
Keelyn Johnson was one of three and scored LC's lone run in the contest.
Brooks Southall (0-1) started the contest and went 4.2 innings, allowing seven hits and two runs, just one earned, struck out three and didn't walk any batters.
Konnor McDermott threw the final 1.1 innings, allowing one hit, one earned run, walked one and struck out one.
Game 2 – Louisiana College 11, Centenary (La.) 7
The scoring in game two got started in a big way as
Hunter David doubled, and then an error allowed him to finish the journey all the way home to give LC a 1-0 lead on one swing of the bat. However, the Gents responded by putting up three runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 3-1 lead.
But the lead for Centenary would not last long. In the top of the fourth, with
Hunter David standing on base,
Alex Ashby lifted one out of the park for his first homer of the season and a tied score at 3-3. That's the way it would stay until the seventh inning, where LC took the lead for good.
Keelyn Johnson gave the Wildcats that lead as his hit to left fell in, allowing
Brady Atkins to come in. Ashby added some key insurance runs shortly after as he ripped a double to left, scoring both Johnson and
Christian Vandergrift for a 6-3 Wildcats lead after seven.
Centenary responded with two runs in the eighth to make it a one run lead again, but LC put the game away in the ninth with a big five-spot. With the bases loaded,
Beau Freeman hit an infield single that scored David.
Ty Morgan was then hit by a pitch, forcing in Ashby.
Brodie Falgoust dropped the ball into left for a base hit that scored both
Beau Freeman &
Dane Pedersen.
Brady Atkins rounded out the scoring as his grounder to third did enough to get Morgan home for an 11-5 lead. Centenary didn't go down without a fight, plating two in the bottom of the ninth, but the Wildcats shut it down to preserve the win.
Alex Ashby had himself a game at the plate in game two, going three of five with his first home run of the season as well as a double, four RBI and two runs scored.
Hunter David hit safely in both of his at bats, including a double, was hit by three pitches.
Brodie Falgoust was two of four with a walk and two RBI.
Andrew Robinson (1-0) came on in relief in the third inning and shut down the Gents batters, throwing 4.2 innings and gave up just three hits and one unearned run with three strikeouts and no walks. Dylna Coburn got the start and gave up two hits and three runs, all earned, walked two and struck out one.
Dylan Roark closed things out by throwing the final two innings, giving up two hits and three runs, two earned, walked two and struck out one.
"We had our opportunities in both games," said Louisiana College head coach
Mike Byrnes. "We struggled to timely two out hitting in game one, but we came back strong in game two. We made good contact and the ball fell for us. Our pitching and defense did well for the most part today to keep them from really going off. We still have things to work on, but we have a lot to be proud of today."
The Wildcats (3-2) return home this Friday for the start of American Southwest Conference play as Mary Hardin-Baylor comes to Pineville to kick off a three-game set. First pitch of Friday's doubleheader against the Crusaders (2-1) is set for 4:00 P.M. at Billy Allgood Field at Legacy Stadium.
