By: Sammy Johnson
The Pilots walked it off on a Trey Morgan bases-loaded walk, winning the game 5-4 in extras. The game was tight the whole way, with neither team ever leading by more than one. Baserunning was key for the Pilots tonight as they were able to steal bases to get their runners in position to score. The Pilots stole three bags in the first four innings, which helped them scrape across three runs. Henry Garcia (Howard College) led the team in hits, turning in a 3-4 day with a run.
The Pilots got out of a second-and-third jam in the first inning with a 1-3-6-2 double play. A ground ball to pitcher Brian Ereu (Univ. of Science and Art) got the out at first, and Zac Morris (South Carolina) threw the runner out at home to end the inning. The Pilots loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning but weren’t able to push any across.
Martinsville scored the first run of the game on a double play in the second inning to make it 1-0.
The Pilots evened the score in the bottom of the second inning by an error. Henry Garcia (Howard College) generated this run, stealing second and advancing to third on a wild pitch.
An infield single scored a run for the Mustangs in the top of the fourth, with the runner scoring on the throw to first.
The fourth inning started with three straight Pilot baserunners coming on a walk and two singles. Sacrifice flies by Trey Morgan (VMI) and Zac Morris (South Carolina) in the bottom of the fourth propelled the Pilots to a 3-2 lead.
Martinsville tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the seventh with an RBI fielder’s choice, continuing the back-and-forth nature of the game.
A sacrifice fly scored a run for the Mustangs in the top of the tenth, but that was all they got. Pinch runner Marc Cisco (Howard College) scored a run on a wild pitch to tie the game 4-4 in the bottom half of the inning.
In the bottom of the 10th, Trey Morgan was in the situation that every baseball player dreams of. 3-2, two outs, tie game, bottom tenth inning with a chance to walk it off. Morgan took a pitch high for ball four, walking off the game for the Pilots with a walk.
Michael Caldon (Felician University) shut down the Mustang batters in the top of the ninth, retiring the side in order. He pitched two innings in relief, giving up one unearned run due to the runner being placed on second base in extra innings.
Starting pitcher Brian Ereu (Univ. of Science and Art) put together a solid start, pitching four innings and giving up two earned runs.
Dalton Barham (Norfolk State) had a stellar outing from the bullpen, pitching two perfect innings with two strikeouts. Barham was integral for the Pilots tonight, keeping them in the game through the middle innings while the bats were quiet.
The Pilots are on the road tomorrow at 6 PM against the Morehead City Marlins.