Pioneers split with Raiders

Fielding errors cost Pioneers the Sweep

published Wednesday, March 30, 2005

The Pioneers managed a split with their long time conference rivals the Nettleton Raiders last night at home. The teams played two very different games, the first game notable by the number of hits by both teams, the second by the lack of them. The Raiders scored quickly against the Pioneers, with 3 runs on 4 hits against Pioneer starting pitcher Evan Eary. The Pioneers answered with a solo run scored by lead off Pioneer Hunter Platt who had reached base on a double. The Raiders quickly added 2 runs in the third, when lead off batter Daniel Mullis bunted on, and Eary hits Jason Dillon. Both advance and Mullis scores on Pioneer fielding errors. Dillon scores on a Sac fly. Platt again scores the Pioneers only answering run after being hit by a pitch and scored by Chris Milum on a base hit. Eary is relieved in the top of the fourth by Nick Davidson who seems to struggle initially, allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and a HP, but will hold the Raiders scoreless after the fourth. In the fifth inning the Pioneers add a run when Eary singles and is scored by Jason Angel, who doubles. The Poneers add 2 in the sixth when Platt singles and is scored by Eary who hits safely. Eary crosses the plate when Milum doubles. The final 2 Pioneer runs occur in the seventh when Cody Aycock singles and eventually scores on the Raiders only fielding error. Casey Aycock walks and scores the final run when Davidson hits. Key to the Pioneers defeat were 5 infield fielding errors. Losing Pitcher for the Pioneers was Evan Eary who allowed 5 runs with 3 strikeouts. Reliever Nick Davidson allowed 3 runs. Leading the offense for the Pioneers was Chris Milum who was 4 for 4 at the plate with 3 RBI's. Platt doubled and singled and scored 3 runs. Eary had 3 hits and 2 runs scored. Jason Angel doubled. Cody Aycock and Nick Davidson both added 2 hits.

The nightcap game pits Raider pitcher Jason Dillon against Pioneer Pitcher Addison Rayford. In contrast to the 24 hits the teams combined for in the first game, the second would result in only 4 combined hits. Nettleton would threaten in the second inning, loading the bases with one out. A fielders choice puts out the runner attempting home and Rayford strikes out the last batter to end the Raider threat. The only runs of the game are scored in the third inning. Raider Lead off batter Matt Johnson walks and is eventually scored on a sac fly. The Pioneers strike back with a two out rally lead by Cameron Ward who walks and is joined by Hunter Platt on a single. Both are scored by Nick Davidson on a base hit. In the top of the fourth inning, a controversial call by the umpires resulted in the Pioneers being granted a double play due to interference of the runner advancing to second. Raider coach Pete Prader reacted strongly to the delayed call and was eventually ejected. A Raider score appeared imminent in the fifth inning with Raider Dan Oracion at third when the Raiders pulled the delayed steal to second. Pioneer pitcher Rayford worked the runner and eventually made the throw to second. At this point Oracion broke for home, but without an adequate lead and was thrown out at the plate. Addison Rayford gains a win allowing only 1 run on 2 hits with 5 strikeouts. The Pioneers 2 hits were generated by Nick Davidson and Hunter Platt.

The Pioneers are scheduled a Varsity/JV contest against Lake Hamilton on Thursday and then go on the road to Blytheville for their next conference matchup on Tuesday.