LSUS Falls to MACU at NAIA Opening Round

SHREVEPORT, La. -- The top-seeded LSUS Pilots dropped an 8-2 decision to No. 2 seed Mid-America Christian University in Game 5 of the NAIA Baseball Opening Round Shreveport Bracket on Tuesday afternoon at Pilot Field.

LSUS moves to 42-13 on the season, while MACU moves to 41-13 and advanced in the winner's bracket.

MACU struck first in the opening inning when Nick Hill launched a solo home run to left field with two outs for a 1-0 lead.

The Evangels added to their advantage in the third inning. After loading the bases with one out, MACU capitalized on a dropped fly ball in center field that allowed Elijah Lee to score before Adam Hanan added an RBI fielder's choice to make it 3-0.

The Pilots answered in the bottom half of the inning. Quaterrion Walton opened the frame with a single before Rodrigo Bravo and Carlos Sanchez delivered back-to-back hits. Sanchez doubled into left center to drive in Walton and cut the deficit to 3-1.

MACU extended its lead in the sixth inning with three runs on four hits. Cole Krepcik tripled to begin the rally before Frankie Giacalone, Tuane Cope, and Jahzeel Groetelaers each drove in runs to push the Evangels ahead 6-1.

LSUS responded in the bottom of the sixth when Spencer Sullivan singled and later scored on an RBI double from Walton down the left field line, trimming the deficit to 6-2.

The Evangels added the final runs in the seventh inning as Hill connected on his second home run of the afternoon, a two-run shot to left center that scored Jalen King and capped the scoring at 8-2.

Bravo led the Pilots offensively with a 3-for-5 performance at the plate. Sanchez finished 2-for-4 with an RBI double, while Evan Gant and Sullivan each collected two hits. Walton added an RBI double in the loss.

On the mound, David Hankins took the loss after allowing six runs, five earned, on eight hits over six innings while striking out five. Cade Robin tossed two scoreless innings of relief, and Hayden Thompson added a scoreless ninth inning with one strikeout.

Fabian Hernandez earned the win for MACU after allowing two runs on 12 hits across seven innings with nine strikeouts.

LSUS will return to action Wednesday, May 13, at 11 a.m. when the Pilots face Oklahoma Wesleyan University in an elimination game at Pilot Field.

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