By: Sammy Johnson
The Pilots won their second game in a row tonight at home against the Wilson Tobbs, taking a 5-3 victory. Keenan Spence (Howard College) was the star of the game offensively for the Pilots, recording a 2-4 day with a solo home run in the fifth inning. Relief pitcher Todd Mozoki (JMU) stole the show on the defensive side, throwing four perfect innings with five strikeouts, and getting the save in the process.
“It felt amazing to be able to pitch in front of these fans in this environment,” Mozoki said. “Getting our first home win for them was even better.”
“He’s a stud,” Coach Hank Morgan said. “I think we’re going to get a good performance from him every night.”
Justin Starke (VMI) picked up right where he left off with an RBI single to right , scoring Trey Morgan (VMI) who got on by a leadoff walk.
Starting pitcher Dalton Barham (Norfolk State) showed grit by getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the second inning, stranding all three Tobbs.
Catcher Barham White (Louisiana Monroe) showed off his cannon for an arm in the top of the third, catching a runner stealing to record the second out of the inning. Barham got the third out later in the same at-bat to end the inning.
The Tobs knotted things up in the top of the fourth inning with a solo home run into the visitor’s bullpen, making the score 1-1. Third baseman Chris Martinez made a web gem catch on a scorching line drive to save a double and end the inning.
An RBI groundout gave the Tobbs a 2-1 lead in the top of the 5th. Later in the inning, an RBI double to right field made it 3-1 Wilson. A diving catch by second baseman Aaron Manias (Howard College) saved another run from scoring later in the inning.
Keenan Spence hit a towering solo home run into the visitor’s bullpen in the bottom half of the fifth inning to cut the Tobbs’ lead to 3-2. A hit-and-run worked beautifully later in the inning as Chris Martinez (Univ. of Arts and Science) hit an RBI double to tie the game at 3-3.
Red-hot Justin Starke hit a triple over the center fielder’s head in the bottom of the seventh to take a 4-3 lead. Ryan Dooley (JMU) hit a sac fly to score him, extending the lead to 5-3, making it four unanswered runs by the Pilots.
Justin Starke and Mason Dunaway both recorded their second multi-hit game in a row, Starke going 2-4 with a triple and two RBIs and Dunaway going 2-4 with two singles.
“[Justin] Starke and [Keenan] Spence have come into a league that’s pitching them differently than they’re being pitched in college,” Coach Morgan said. “They had to go through failure before they found their adjustment, and they’ve really turned a corner.”
Dalton Barham had a solid outing for the Pilots, giving up one earned over four strong innings. Relief pitcher Todd Mozoki held it down after him, pitching four perfect innings.
The Pilots now enter a long road trip, with their next four games coming on the road.
“We’re going to be fine,” Coach Morgan said. “I still think if we keep the faith, show up, and prepare ourselves the same way we have been, we’ll be great.”
The most important stat right now is that the Pilots are now 2-0 since head coach Hank Morgan has made the switch to a handlebar mustache.
“Kudos to [Ryan] Dooley, I was just feeling the vibes,” Coach Morgan said. “Made the change before our game yesterday, it’ll change again if we lose.”