NEW ORLEANS — Bobby Vath struck out 11 in eight innings, and his LSU-Shreveport teammates produced eight runs in the first four innings of an 11-2 Red River Athletic Conference baseball victory Friday against Xavier University of Louisiana.
        The Gold Rush (11-9 overall, 3-7 RRAC) and the Pilots (16-5, 7-3, ranked fourth in the NAIA), will meet in a noon CST Saturday doubleheader at Wesley Barrow Stadium to conclude their three-game series.
        Vath (4-1) threw 95 pitches, allowed five hits — all singles — two earned runs and walked one. The sophomore right-hander produced 1-2-3 innings in the first, second, third, fifth and seventh.
        Deionte Norris got the Gold Rush's first hit — with two out in the fourth inning — and XULA produced its runs in the sixth when Courtland Poser singled home Eliam Dudamel, who had singled, and Norris hit a sacrifice fly to score D'Aires Davis.
        The Pilots in the fourth scored five runs — all unearned because of three infield errors — and led 10-0 through 5 1/2 innings. Ryan Davenport hit the only home run when he pinch hit to start the eighth.
        Posey and Norris were the only XULA players to reach base safely twice.