By: Sammy Johnson
The Pilots dropped their third straight game of the season to the Tri-City Chili Peppers in a 15-10 shootout. This game certainly made up for the lack of runs scored in their first meeting, where the final was 4-2 Tri-City. Trey Morgan was the star of the game for the Pilots, going 5-6 with an RBI and two runs.
The first inning was definitely one to remember, as both teams showcased their offensive prowess. Tri-City couldn’t record an out until the 5th batter of the game, as the bats were hot for the Pilots. Aaron Manias (Howard) and Hunter Cole (Randolph Macon) each had two-RBI singles, jumping out to an early 4-0 lead. Unfortunately, this lead didn’t last long, as Tri-City punched back with a grand slam in the bottom half. An RBI single made the game 5-4 Tri-City at the end of the first.
Ryan Dooley (JMU) plated a run on a sacrifice fly in the top of the second, evening the game back up 5-5. Later in the inning, Eduardo Acosta (Lubbock Christian) plated a run on a single to right field, making it a 6-5 ball game.
Barham White (LSU-Eunice) provided insurance for the Pilots in the top of the fifth with a 3-run home run, the first for the Pilots this season, to make it 9-5.
Coach Hank Morgan talked about the effective adjustments since game one.
“Hitters were tenacious and are thrilled with our adjustments since opening night,” Coach Morgan said. “We’ve been tougher to strike out and continue to believe we will be a dynamic offense before all is said and done.”
The Chili Peppers inched closer in the sixth inning with an RBI single to make the score 9-6.
Trey Morgan had one of his game-high five hits in the top of the seventh to make it 10-6
Coach Morgan talked about what makes Trey such a special hitter.
“He stays within himself and has great instincts,” Coach Morgan said. “He has matured quite a bit and makes much faster adjustments. He loves baseball and loves this team.”
From here, it was all Tri-City. Over the next three innings, they scored nine unanswered runs, including four coming from a grand slam in the bottom of the seventh.
Coach Morgan talked about keeping a positive attitude through tough innings.
“These guys have played long enough to know that some days won’t go their way,” Coach Morgan said. “We will tenaciously attack the next opportunity. We can’t guarantee outcomes, only a purposeful approach.”
The Pilots fall to 0-3 and still look to get their first win of the season against the Morehead City Marlins on Tuesday, June 6th.