Pioneers win 2 on the Road

published Sunday, March 13, 2005

The Pioneers hit the road on Thursday and headed South to Searcy and Crain-Yancey field to face off against the Searcy Lions. They then turned North to Mountain Home to challenge the Bombers on their home field. In both cases the Pioneers emerged victorious, and improved their season record to 2 - 1.

At Searcy, Addison Rayford took the mound for the Pioneers for his first start this year and gave a great performance. Staying the distance, Rayford only faced 26 Lion batters, striking out 8 while giving up only 3 hits. His sidearm delivery seems to keep the batters guessing and off balance. His velocity, ball movement and stamina all came into play and allowed him to claim the first Pioneer win of the year.

In 1st inning action the visiting Pioneers got on the board quickly when lead off batter Hunter Platt walked, stole second and was scored by an infield error forced by Rayford. Searcy didn't fare so well in the 1st with Rayford setting them down in order and picking up 3 quick strikeouts. Errors continue to plague the Lions in the 2nd when Cody Aycock reaches on an error and eventual scores on another. The Lions get there solo run on the board in the 3rd with a lead off single followed by an HP, fielder's choice and a follow up single to score. In the 4th inning Casey Aycock hits a solo home run to add on another Pioneer run and the Lions get their 3rd and final hit of the game. Fifth inning action begins with Jason Angel reaching on a walk, being relieved by Justin Keister who picks up a run on a Cody Aycock hit. The 6th inning will be a big one for the Pioneers; Platt leads off with a single, and is joined by Rayford on a HP. A Chris Milum double scores Platt and advances Rayford to 3rd. Rayford scores on a passed ball and courtesy runner Kyle McMullin running for Milum scores when Angel grounds out. Nick Davidson hits a nice double but is left on the bases at the end of the inning. The 7th will be a quick inning with the Pioneers executing a perfect 5-4-3 double play for the first 2 outs and ending the game with a routine Rayford - Angel ground out. Great pitching and defensive play for the Pioneers!

On Friday the Pioneers turned north for that ever popular trip up the winding highways of North Arkansas to Mountain Home and their opponent, the Bombers. Pioneer starting pitcher Evan Eary picked up his second start of the year. The Pioneers were on the board quickly with the first 3 Pioneer batters crossing the plate to score. Hunter Platt reached on a dropped 3rd strike, was joined by Nick Davidson who singled and both score when Eary hits one to the fence and ends up on 3rd. Eary will score on an Addison Rayford ground out to put the Pioneers up 3 - 0. The game is scoreless until the bottom of the 4th when Eary hits a batter and a series of Pioneer fielding errors (I have them at 3) add 2 runs to bring the score to 3 -2. I don't know for sure but the orientation of the field and the low angle of the sun at that time may have contributed to the errors committed by the usually sure handed Pioneer infield. The Pioneers reclaim their 3 run lead in the 5th with Platt and Eary both scoring runs after reaching on a HP and a walk, respectively. In the top of the 7th Davidson picks up a double but is left on. After a strikeout, walk, an HP, and a little too much demonstration of emotion, Eary leaves the mound with runners at 1st and 2nd. Reliever Jeff Whitener gives up a 2 rbi double to the first Bomber batter he faces who will eventually score on a Sac Fly to tie the game 5 -5. In the 8th and final inning lead off batter Rayford singles, advances on a Kelly Davis Sac and to 3rd with a Cody Aycock single. With runners at the corners and 1 out Coach Rush calls for the squeeze play and Casey Aycock executes perfectly at the plate laying down a bunt that allows the charging Rayford to score and Aycocks at 1st and 3rd. Another attempted squeeze play was not successful with Hunter Platt bunting and reaching first, but Cody Aycock was be tagged out at the plate by the Bomber catcher. The final score of the game comes when Davidson singles, scoring Casey Aycock. Pioneer closer Cameron Ward takes the mound and ends the Bombers hopes of a comeback with 2 quick fly outs and after hitting a batter, the game ends on a great 5 - 3 put out.

Hitting for the Pioneers; Davidson - double, 2 singles; Eary - triple.

The Pioneers play Monday and Tuesday at home. Monday is a Varsity/JV contest with the Greenbrier Panthers and Tuesday they open their conference schedule against the Paragould Rams. Please come out and support your Pioneers, they're a great bunch of young men and deserve the attention and support of the community.