Pioneers Pacify Patriots

published Wednesday, March 19, 2003

Another night, 2 more Pioneer victories, The first typical of our games of late, 3 Home Runs and a run rule shortened win of 11-1. The second proved to be a very different game. With the Patriots jumping out to a quick 5-1 lead in the bottom of the second, it proved to be a very different situation. The Pioneers fought for every hit against a strong Patriots pitcher. While the game played out we were denied again and again until the top of the sixth when Pioneer teamwork and determination wore down the Patriots and the Pioneers prevailed again. In our 7 games this year we have had Home Runs from 7 different Pioneers, scored 90 runs and had 5 run ruled wins. The Pioneers have come to town and it's not going to be pretty for the other guys..

Game 1

Lead off batter Francis takes the first hit for Batesville and easily reaches third on a steal and an error. Effort that wasn't necessary since Gatlin will hit a home run out of right field to score the first 2 runs of the game. Burba will reach on an infield error and will quickly be scored by Fletcher on his ball which followed Gatlin's out of right field (4-0 Pioneers).

Starter Burba will make his debut in the regular pitching rotation and quickly set down the first 3 Marion batters. The score will remain 4-0 until the top of the 4th when Fuqua doubles, advances to 3rd on a passed ball and is scored by Davis on a fielders choice. Francis doubles scoring Davis and he is in turn scored by a Smith single (7-0 Pioneers). The 4th will bring Marion their only score of the game when a single allows a Marion runner to first, he will advance to second on a passed ball and score on a Pioneer Fielding Error (7-1 Pioneers).

In the 5th Fuqua will reach on an error, steal second and be scored by Davis on a single (8-1 Pioneers).

Sixth inning action begins with Francis reaching on an error, stealing second and being scored on a Gatlin ground out. Burba follows with a nice solo home run.Fletcher will also reach on an error, advance to second on another error and be scored by a Fuqua single (11-1 Pioneers). This will be the final score as the Patriots are again unable to put runners in scoring position. Pitcher Burba goes 7 and allows 1 run on 3 hits and 0 walks with 5 strikeouts.

Offensive leaders were:Francis - double, single; Gatlin - home run, single; Burba - home run ; Fletcher - Home Run; Fuqua - double, single. The Pioneers combined for 11 hits and 1 walk.

Game 2

What a difference a game makes. The Patriots remained upbeat and determined to compete, although their softball dugout tactics did become tiring. The second Marion pitcher combined with inconsistency from the official behind the plate left the Pioneers with only 1 hit in the first innings. In the second lead off Fuqua reaches on an error and will be scored on a Rhodes fielders choice to put the Pioneers on the scoreboard. The Patriots responded by hitting strongly and jumped up to a 5-1 lead scoring 7 hits off of Starter Henrickson before the inning ended (5-1 Patriots). The Pioneers added 1 to the score in the 4th when Rhodes would single, advance to 2nd on a passed ball, steal third and score when the catcher threw the ball away attempting a play on Francis who had walked and was stealing second. (5-2 Patriots).

In the 5th Marion will score after a Marion player bunts on, advances and scores after a series of Pioneer fielding errors (6-2 Patriots). It was beginning to get a little tense among the fans at this point, but the Pioneers came back with a big 6th when Francis reaches on a single, will be scored by Smith on a single, Smith follows him in when Gatlin singles. Burba and Fuqua walk loading the bases with 2 outs. Mighty Skinner steps up and clears the bases with a 360 foot smash to center field for a double (7-6 Pioneers). The crowd is now on full alert with some mention to the previously gloating Patriot fans that the game is in fact now over for Marion. Marion will be unable to score in the 6th but the Pioneers will lengthen their lead when Smith singles, and is joined by Gatlin on a single. Marion intentionally walks Burba, loading the bases to get to Fletcher who had struggled at the plate most of the night. However, the flagging Marion pitcher was unable to throw strikes and walks him also, scoring Smith. Gatlin scores on a passed ball and Fuqua will repay the Marion snub by doubling and scoring Burba and Fletcher. This will bring the score to it's final of 11-6 Pioneers. Starter Henrickson pitched 2 and allowed 5 runs on 7 hits with 1 walk and 3 strikeouts. Reliever Altom pitched 5 allowing 1 run on 2 hits with 1 walk and 6 strikeouts.

Offensive leaders were: Smith - 2 singles; Gatlin - 3 singles; Fuqua - double; Skinner - double. The Pioneers combined for 11 hits and 9 walks.