Pioneers 1 for 3 at Harrison

published Sunday, Mar 28, 2004

The trip to Harrison proved to be a difficult one for the Pioneers this weekend. Arriving at Harrison they were 9 - 1, leaving they would find themselves at 10 - 3. Their only win was over the Pine Bluff Zebra's, a slugfest which they won with only the narrowest of margins. They were defeated in the opening game by a strong pitching team from West Plains, Mo. and in the final game by another Missouri team, Kearney.

The normally strong batting Pioneers were defeated Friday night by a combination of strong pitching and their inability to bring runners in off the bases. While gaining only 5 hits the West Plains pitcher allowed 9 walks, so with 14 runners on base the Pioneers only managed to score 3. The Pioneer pitchers did their part, with starting pitcher Kyle Altom allowing only 6 hits and 2 walks. The relievers combined for only 1 hit and 0 walks. The Pioneers did maintain the lead until the 5th inning when a series of grouped hits combined with Pioneer fielding errors would result in the Zizzers taking the lead 6 - 3. While Pioneer relievers Rogers and Eary allowed no further runs, the Pioneer offense was unable to reach base except by walks, leaving the score at 6 - 3 Zizzers. Hitting for the Pioneers; Francis - double; Burba - Home Run; Gatlin - 2 singles; Platt - single. Losing Pitcher Altom pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing 6 runs with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. Reliever Andy Rogers pitched 1 1/3 innings allowing only 1 hit and closing for the Pioneers Evan Eary pitched 1 inning with no hits and 1 strikeout.

Saturday brings the Pioneers back to the field early to face the Pine Bluff Zebras. This was a very different game, instead of a pitching duel we had a batting duel. Twenty six Pioneers would reach base by the end of the game and 16 of them would also cross the plate to score. The Zebras also came to hit, and would rack up 15 runs of their own. The Pioneers lead the game throughout, but a 4 run sixth inning with 5 additional runs added in the bottom of the seventh ratcheted up the tension considerably. Starting Pitcher Burba had gone 4 inning and relieving pitcher Gatlin 2. Again, coming in to close for the Pioneers was sophomore Evan Eary. Taking over with bases loaded, he allowed the final 5 runs on a combination of hits and fielding errors, but with the runners at the corners and the winning run at first, he struck out the batter to bring the Pioneers their only victory of the tournament. Pioneers - 16, Zebras - 15. Hitting for the Pioneers: Francis - single; Skinner - double, 3 singles; Fletcher - double, single; Burba - double, home run; Gatlin - 2 doubles; Smith - single; Rhodes - 2 singles; Davis - double, single; Platt - single. Winning pitcher Burba pitched 4 inning allowing 6 runs on 10 hits with 1 walk, 1 HP and 4 strikeouts. Reliever Gatlin allows 7 runs on 3 hits, 2 walks, and 2 HP's with 2 strikeouts. Closer Eary pitches 1 inning, allows 2 runs on 3 hits with 1 strikeout to end the game. Pioneers - 16, Zebras - 15.

Each game in the tournament played out very differently. While the West Plains game came to very few hits and runs and the Pine Bluff game was a hit-a-thon on both sides the final game against Kearney would be a very different with neither team ever scoring over 2 runs in any inning. Twenty one Pioneers would reach base on 15 on hits, combining for a team batting average of .469. But again many of the Pioneer runners are left on base, contributing to the Pioneers eventual defeat. With the score at 8 all in the top of the seventh the Pioneers go down in order. The first Kearney batter reaches base on a Pioneer fielding error. A bunt puts runners at first and second. The third batter hits a blooper into right field and while reaching base himself the runner advancing to second is picked off leaving runners at the corners. An intentional walk will load the bases with one out, but a double by the next Kearney batter will end the game in their favor. Pioneers - 8, Kearney - 9. Hitting for the Pioneers: Francis - 2 singles; Fletcher - double, single; Burba - 4 singles;Gatlin - 2 singles; Rhodes - single; Davis - double, single; Rogers - single. Starting pitcher Andy Rogers pitched 2 1/3 innings allowing 4 runs on 7 hits with 1 strikeout. Losing pitcher Addison Rayford pitched 3 2/3 innings allowing 5 runs on 8 hits with 3 strikeouts. Closer Eary pitched 1/3 inning with 3 hits and 1 walk.

The Pioneers return home on Tuesday for Conference play against the Vilonia Eagles.