Pioneers Sweep Rams

Pick up third Victory at Greenbrier

Carl's Scorecard - Paragould Game #1

Carl's Scorecard - Paragould Game #2

Carl's Scorecard - Greenbrier

published Thursday, Mar. 16, 2006

The Pioneers picked up three wins over the last two days to bring their record to 5-1 on the season. The first two victories came in their conference opener at Paragould Tuesday night. Paragould who entered the night 3-30 against the Pioneers did not see that record improve and although they did manage to lead briefly in the second game of the night never really threatened the Pioneers. The situation was different on Wednesday when the Pioneers traveled to Greenbrier to take on the Panthers. While Greenbrier has not fared much better against the Pioneers at 1-7 they proved to be a solid opponent. The Pioneers fell behind early, but in typical fashion staged a rally that would prove to be the Panthers undoing and result in another defeat for them at the hands of the Pioneers.

In the opening game with the Rams the Pioneers started veteran pitcher Evan Eary who held the Rams at bay, allowing the Pioneers to take the edge on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning. Two runs were scored, the first by Kelly Davis who had reached on an error and was scored by an Addison Rayford triple. Rayford scored on an error forced by Hunter Platt. Eary allowend his first hit in the bottom of the inning, but brought his strike out total to five by striking out three in a row. The Pioneers add two more runs in the fourth when the Ram pitcher managed to hit three Pioneers, walk one and give up a double to Davis. Eary is relieved after five having struck out ten and allowing only one hit. He is relieved by closing pitcher Clint Walls who picks up two strikeouts in his first inning on the mound. The Pioneers add their last run of the game in the seventh when Chris Milum reaches on a base hit, and is relieved by Jake Arnold. Arnold steals second and advances to third on a passed ball. He is scored by Nick Davidson's base hit. Walls ends the game, allowing only one hit and picking up another strikeout. Final Score; Pioneers 5, Rams 0.

The second game shapes up a little differently. While the first was a low hitting affair with only 6 total hits for both teams, the second becomes a little more lively. Paragould scores with their first batter who was walked by Pioneer starting pitcher Addison Rayford. Rayford struggles a little to get his stride walking two and allowing two hits by the first four batters. The first two Pioneer outs are at the plate and Rayford picks up the third with a strikeout. They add two more runs to increas their lead to three in the third inning when a one out hit and walk are scored by a two out hit. However, the Pioneers have had enough, and come out swinging in the fourth. Lead off batter Davidson triples and picks up the Pioneers first run on a passed ball. The bases are quickly loaded by Eary, Milum (relieved by Kyle McMullin at first) and Walls, setting up Jason Angel for a bases loaded grand slam. He joins Eary as only the second Pioneer currently playing to achieve this. Eary's was on a memorable day in 2004 at Beebe when he and Senior Brad Fletcher both managed grand slams. The Pioneers add two more runs in the fifth when Eary walks and is scored by Milum who doubles. McMullin takes over on the bases for Milum and eventually scores on a passed ball. The Rams stage a rally in the bottom of the inning when a Pioneer error and four hits combine for three runs. Coach Rush chooses to bring in closer Cameron Ward who strikes the last Ram batter out. The Pioneers tack on two more runs in the sixth when Davis hits and eventually is scored by Hunter Platt with a Sac Fly. The second run is provided by Nick Davidson who walks on, steals second and is scored by a hit from Milum. Action picks up in the seventh when the Pioneers bring the score to 12 runs. Lead off batter Walls walks and advances to third on Ram errors. He scores on a wild pitch from the fourth of five Ram pitchers for the night. Angel reaches on a fielders choice and is relieved by Jake Arnold. Arnold and Dvis who walks on with both be scored by Rayford with a single. The Rams attempt a rally and manage a two run homer, but Ward ends the inning having struck out four of the ten batters he faced. Final Score Pioneers 12, Rams 8.

At a thankfully warmer Greenbrier, the Pioneers faced a better prepard opponent. The first two innings would see only one run, that by the Panthers who had managed a lead off wlak against Pioneer pitcher Cody Aycock. While the Pioneers continued to struggle at the plate the Panthers would add 2 additional runs, one each in the third and fourth inning. Then the wheels fell off for Greebrier. Earlier in the game I saw the Panther coach call his outfield in when Hunter Platt was at the plate. That was the first error I saw him commit that evening, because Platt's lead off triple in the fifth would set the tone for the rest of the inning. Davidson singles scoring Platt, and is himself scored by Eary with a Sac. Milum hits on, and is relieved by McMullin. McMullin scores on a Panther passed ball to even the score in the top of the inning. Aycock squashes any hopes of a Panther rally by sitting the batters down in order with 3 quick K's.

The winning run for the Pioneers comes in the top of the sixth, when lead off batter Walls doubles and is scored in the classic Rush bunt-a-thon (not really a word, but it looks cool) successive successful bunts by Davis, Platt and Davidson left the Panther infield reeling and the Pioneers in the lead. In the bottom of the inning a lead off double brings up a pitching change by the Pioneers. Making his first Varsity appearance, Trent Weeks strikes out two, but loads the bases in the process. The Pioneers bring out their favorite closer, Cameron Ward, who quickly takes the next Panther to a 0 - 2 count. As Ward delivers his next pitch, the Panther runners all attempt to advace. Unfortunately for them Milum catches the pitch and runs down the runner attempting to return to third to end their rally effort. The seventh passes quickly and the game ends at Pioneers 4, Panthers 3. On Tuesday the Pioneers face conference opponent Marion at home. The Patriots have never defeated the Pioneers, and are determined to end their 23 game losing streak. I'm sure they will bring their best game, so it's sure to be a good contest.