Hattiesburg, Miss. - The LSUS Pilots took a 7-3 victory over the William Carey Crusaders in the first game of the three-game GCAC weekend series in Hattiesburg.

The Pilots put three runs on the board in the top of the fourth to tie the game at 3-3 and knock Carey starter Sam Gates out of the ballgame.

LSUS scored the go-ahead and eventual game-winning run in the top of the sixth innning of Friday night's victory.

The Pilots added three insurance runs in the ninth, as Gino Spratley finished the game out on the mound after an outstanding peformance by starter Victor Hernandez.

Hernandez (6-1) picked up his team-leading sixth win of the season, helping the Pilots with their ninth consecutive game of the season.

Bryan Stebbings led the Pilots at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance, including a double and two RBIs.

LSUS and Carey will be back in action tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 PM.