Livingston baseball completed the series sweep over Shepherd Friday behind a big performance on the mound and plenty of runs late in the contest.
The Lions got on the scoreboard first when Rudy Marquez was hit by a pitch. Brax Smith sacrificed him over and a wild pitch would bring in Marquez.
Shepherd tied it in the bottom of the third, with a single by Pirate catcher Kyler Syracuse and a passed ball. Marshall Reeves grounded into a fielder’s choice, and the throw back to third base was wide, allowing the Pirates to tie 1-1.
Jaxon David and Marquez walked in the top of the fifth for Livingston, and a squeeze bunt by Karter Nelson caused an error that brought in two more Lions.
Shepherd cut the lead in half with a double by Isiah Castillo and an error on a pickoff move that brought him in.
Plenty of insurance was collected in the top of the seventh, as Livingston scored five. Marquez led things off with a double, and Smith and Nelson were hit by pitches to load the bags.
A squeeze bunt by Ryder Surrency brought in another run. Landon Hodges walked to drive in one more. Brayden Goins grounded into a fielder's choice and David scored on an error. Jake Young would cap the scoring with a double that drove in two, giving more than needed for the bottom half of the inning.
The righthander Nelson tossed a complete game with 13 strikeouts, scattering four hits and not allowing a walk or earned run. Marquez scored three times for the Lions, while Goins and Young each collected two hits. Young also had two RBIs.
