DH Robert Cummins hit a walkoff RBI single with two out in the bottom of the seventh to give the Midland Warriors a 9-8 come-from-behind victory over the LSU-Shreveport Pilots. The game was part of a tournament hosted by Dallas Christian College.
A stiff wind blowing throughout the game made every fly ball an adventure, and Cummins’ game-winning hit was no exception. It was a high popup that dropped between the first baseman and right fielder.
The Pilots led 8-6 going into the bottom of the seventh, and Pilots reliever LHP Pat Day struck out the first two batters. LF Buddy Balsino walked to keep the Warriors alive. RF Nathan Virgen doubled, then pinch-hitter Chris Foster hit a two-RBI single to tie the game, and he went to second on a wild throw. He was then batted in by Cummins.
The Warriors took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on an RBI single by 1B Tanner Bos, but it was all Pilots for the next 3 ½ innings. They got three runs in the top of the second on a home run by 1B Matthew Hammock and RBI singles by 3B Ryan Pouwells (Surrey, BC) and C Vaughn Shapen. They added three more in the third on a home run by SS Kevin Rosario, an RBI triple by 2B Caleb Lasseigne, and an RBI double by Pouwells. They added on more in the top of the fifth with a home run by RF Brenden Meade, to run their lead to 7-1. While this was going on Pilots starter LHP Trey Robledo held the Warriors to three hits over the first four innings. The Warriors loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth, but the inning ended with a double play started by Robledo. Robledo also made a good defensive play in the second inning, and he was helped by another double play in the third.
Robledo was relieved by RHP Hunter Cunningham in the bottom of the fifth, and Cunningham was greeted with a double by 2B Justin Trevino and a single by Cummins. He hit a batter to load the bases, and struck out the next batter. Then C Alex Bee hit an RBI single, and Bos drew a walk to score another run. Cunningham was replaced by Day, and the first batter he faced, George Foster, hit a two-RBI double. Bos then scored on a ground out.
The score was now 7-6, and the Pilots added an insurance run in the top of the seventh when pinch-runner Francisco Rodriguez was balked in.
Reliever Jackson Ketron, who pitched the top of the seventh, got the win. Day got the loss. Cummins finished the game 3-for-3. Pouwells went 3-for-4.
The Pilots (2-2) lost another game later on in the day, 8-5 to #10 Tabor. The Warriors defeated Southwestern Christian 12-5, running their record to 5-1, including four games played in the Fall.