By: Sammy Johnson

The Pilots won their first game tonight in a 9-8 thriller against the Tri-City Chili Peppers. Justin Starke (VMI) was the star of the game with a 3-4 performance with three RBIs and three extra-base hits. Mason Dunaway (JMU) also shined with three hits, one RBI, and a walk. 

Michael Caldon (Felician University) got the save for the Pilots, allowing no hits or runs over two innings. 

The Pilots jumped out to an early lead with three straight singles in the first inning. Chris Martinez (Univ. of Science and Arts) missed a home run by a matter of feet but ended up hitting a two-rbi single. 

The Pilots opened the game up with five runs in the top of the fourth inning. Zac Morris (VMI) and Justin Starke had back-to-back RBI doubles, and Hunter Cole (Randolph Macon) continued the rally with an RBI single. Trey Morgan (VMI) plated a run on a beautiful sacrifice bunt. Mason Dunaway capped the inning off with an RBI single on his third hit of the game. 

The Chili Peppers battled back with a big inning of their own in the sixth with two home runs, two RBI doubles, and an RBI single to take an 8-7 lead.  

Zac Morris worked a ten-pitch walk in the top of the eighth inning, which led to a 2-run home run by Justin Starke, his third straight extra-base hit of the game. This lifted the Pilots to a 9-8 lead.

Tri-City would have tied the game up in the bottom of the eighth if it wasn’t for Henry Garcia. On a ball ripped over his head in right field, he made a spectacular catch to end the inning. 

Jay Schueler (Southeastern University) showed some grit in his debut, struggling with control but ultimately bearing down and giving up one run through four innings. Four Tri-City base runners were left stranded on base through the first three innings. 

The Pilots will return home tomorrow, June 10th for a matchup against the Wilson Tobs.