Montgomery, Ala. – After a two-hour rain delay and 14-hour postponement, the LSUS Pilots held off Lee University for a 1-0 victory in the opening game of the 2006 NAIA Region XIII Tournament.The Pilots (39-21) rode the strong pitching of Kevin Jewell, who allowed four hits and stuck out six over 8 and a third innings before play was suspended.  Matt Clayman gave up one and struck out a batter in two-thirds of an inning to earn the save.  Lee’s Jon Kirby took the loss, despite allowing only one run and two hits over eight innings pitched.

LSUS scored the lone run of the game in the bottom of the first after a lead-off double by second baseman Dustin Bissonnette.  Bissonnette then stole third and scored on a Dusty Maddox ground-out.  Riley Cook collected the only other hit allowed by Kirby.

The game was postponed in the top of the ninth with Lee threatening, having a runner on second with only one out.  As play resumed Thursday morning, however, LSUS picked off the runner at second to end the threat.

The Pilots move on to play the winner of the Belhaven-Georgia Southwestern match-up in the second round, which will be played Thursday at 4 p.m. at Patterson Field.  Lee moves to the losers’ bracket, where they will face the loser of the Belhaven-GSW game at AUM at 4 p.m.

--AUM--
 
Written by William Whatley
Sports Information Intern