Pioneers finish Clean Sweep

Win 3 in Xtra Innings Classic

2007 Pioneer Classic Small School Bracket

2007 Pioneer Classic Large School Bracket

Carl's Scorecard - Rivercrest

Carl's Scorecard - Pulaski Academy

published Monday, Mar. 26, 2007

The Pioneers continued and finished the clean sweep of the Xtra Innings tournament that they began on Thursday by defeating Rivercrest and Pulaski Academy on Friday and Saturday respectively. The Pioneers continue to mature as a team. Each time I see them they seem to play together better than before. They are a great group of young men and everyone should try to get out and see them play. I think the single area that impresses me the most is the pitching. Before the season began I was concerned by the fact that the Pioneers might be a little short of skill on the mound. I couldn't have been more wrong. Take a look at the pitching stats and ignore the overrated ERA stat. Look at the opponents batting average against our guys. It's gonna be tough to win if you have to do it with those batting averages. Particularly when you are facing a team with a .350 average.

On Friday the Pioneers took on Rivercrest. Sophomore Price Holmes made his second appearance of the year and took the mound for what would also be his second win. Holmes struck out the side while allowing one hit, and the Rivercrest pitcher came right back at him, striking out two Pioneers and forcing a fly out to end the inning. The pitching dual continued in the second with Holmes adding 3 consecutive K's to his tally. The Rivercrest pitcher allowed a walk, but that was all before advancing to the third inning. Holmes gives up two consecutive hits and his only run of the game in the top of the inning. The Pioneers were unable to even the score with only a solo hit by Ross Simpson , before being retired by two consecutive strikeouts. Holmes picks up two more K's in the fourth and the Pioneers gain the lead with a lead off single by Aaron Thornton. Thornton advances and scores when Stephen Cesarski* doubles. Cesarski* is scored by catcher Kyle Kallsnick who hits for a single. The Pioneers add two insurance runs in the sixth when lead off Cesarski* is hit by a pitch and scored again by Kallsnick who triples. Kallsnick is scored by Jake Palese with the last Pioneer hit of the game. Holmes gets the win, allowing one run on four hits with 12 strikeouts. Batting for the Pioneers: Ross Simpson - 1b; Aaron Thornton - 1b; Steven Cesarski* - 2b; Kyle Kallsnick - 3b,1b; Jake Palese - 1b;

On Saturday the Pioneers returned to finish what they had begun, squaring off against the Pulaski Academy Bruins. I believe a Bruin is an ugly bear (not like Jake) that eats bad fish or something like that. Anyway, Bears and Pioneers don't mix and just like in the old days, the Pioneers won. Starting pitcher for the Pioneers, Trent Weeks, took the mound and allowed one run on one hit in the first before retiring the bears. The Bruins added two more in the top of the second to take a 3-0 lead at the turn of the inning. They were definitely at their high water mark, since not only did they not score for the balance of the game they never even reached second again. The Pioneers put their first run on the board in the bottom of the second when lead off Kallsnick reached on an error and is eventually scored by a Cody Aycock sac. They pick up two more in the third to tie the score when Cesarski* walks and is relieved on the bases by Holmes. He is joined by Nick Palese who hits on. The Bruins pitcher walks Kallsnick and Nick Palese to force in the first run and a passed ball allows Nick Palese to score to even the score. The Pioneers bring in Cesarski* in the fourth and he retires the side with three quick K's. The Pioneers add three runs to take the lead when they take advantage of walks followed by timely hits by Nick P. and a triple by Kallsnick. They pick up three more in the fifth when the Bruin pitcher stops walking them and starts hitting them. A succession of hit batsmen and hits by Thornton, Cesarski* and Nick P. put the score at 9-3 after six. The Pioneers add their final two runs of the game in the sixth with a lead off single by Jake Palese who is scored by Jake Arnold with a nicely timed home run.The Pioneers close with Aycock who quickly delivers the 1-2-3 punch to the Bruins and finishes the skinning Weeks and Cesarski* had begun. Starting pitcher Weeks went 3 innings allowing 3 runs on 2 hits with 1 walk and 1 HP. He added 3 strikeouts. Cesarski* is the ] winning pitcher, pitching three innings, allowing no runs with 1 hit and 1 walk and 4 strikeouts. Closer Aycock allows no hits, no runs and picks up three strikeouts. Batting for the Pioneers: Arnold - hr,2x1b; Weeks - 1b; N. Palese - 3x1b; Kallsnick - 3b; Thornton - 2b,1b; J. Palese - 1b;

* Cesarski has so many nicknames it is beyond belief. I've heard there are those attempting to compile an accurate list and it now stands at around 70. Hail Cesarski!

Hold the Rope! Carl.