Gunslingers edge South Louisiana

The Texarkana Gunslingers fought tooth-and-nail and their labors paid off against the South Louisiana Pipeliners Friday at George Dobson Field.
The Gunslingers took the lead three times, the final move in the seventh to claim a 5-4 victory in the Continental Baseball League game. The series continues tonight at 7:05 p.m.
Trey George belted a 2-run home run in the fourth for the Gunslingers, who jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the first. The Pipeliners rallied back with three in the top of the fourth and the game-tying run in the sixth.
However, pinch-hitter Justin Armiger smacked a bases-loaded single in the seventh to give Texarkana its final lead. Matt Greanead pitched two innings of no-hit ball to pick up the win, and Ryne Nelson struck out the final two Pipeliners to earn the save,
After South Louisiana threatened in the first, the Gunslingers grabbed the early lead. Clint Toomey singled to right to lead off the bottom of the inning, and Darryl Stanfield doubled over the center fielder’s head. The next batter was hit by a pitch to load the bases, and Corey O’Neil singled up the middle to make it 1-0.
A double play allowed the second run to score. French retired seven straight South Louisiana batters before Lester Contreras lead off the fourth with a single.
Felix Martinez needed one swing to give the Pipeliners the lead in the fourth. Two singles, a walk and error loaded the bases after catcher Phil St. Amant threw out Contreras attempting to steal second.
Martinez lined a hit to deep center and raced all the way around for a triple after center fielder Darryl Stanfield dove unsuccessfully for the ball, staking South Louisiana to a 3-2 advantage.
George yanked the second pitch he saw in the fourth high over the wall in left field to regain the lead for Texarkana. Stanfield legged out an infield single just before George’s blast, which came with two outs.
Chris Vasquez doubled to left-center with two outs to knot the score in the sixth. French fanned the first two batters he faced in the inning but was replaced following a single by Martinez.
Vasquez welcomed reliever Luke O’Loughlin with his double. Center fielder Stanfield was attempting to chase the ball down when he collided with the wall and left the game.
A pair of walks and Cody Ross’ single loaded the bags for the Gunslingers with no outs in the seventh, and Armiger roped a single to center to give Texarkana the lead. A double play ended the peril of an insurance run.
Stanfield was 3 for 3 with a double and two runs scored before leaving the game, and Toomey was 2 for 4. French worked 5 2/3 innings, gave up six hits, fanned five and walked three in taking a no decision.
Greanead allowed no hits, hit a batter and struck out two.
 
South Louisiana 000 301 000 — 4 7 0
Texarkana 200 200 10x — 5 10 1
William Labata, Jody Finch (6), Eddie Roberts (8) and Bryant Perdoma; Tyler French, Luke O’Loughlin (6), Matt Greanead (7), Ryne Nelson (9) and Phil St. Amant, Mike Dobre (7). WP- Greanead. LP-Finch. HR: Tex.-Trey George, 4th, 1 on. Att.-376.

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