Pioneers Split with Eagles

published Wednesday, April 2, 2003

The Pioneers traveled to Vilonia Tuesday night and came away with a narrow 1-2 loss and a big 18-1 win. While poor batting performance and errors resulted in a loss in the 1st game, the Pioneer Pitchers had a great night. Jeremy Burba and Daniel Henrickson combined for only 2 earned runs with 7 hits and a fantastic 20 strikeouts. In the second game the Pioneers recovered and came out swinging, scoring 18 runs on 18 hits. Daniel Henrickson's pitching shut down any chance the Eagles had of a comeback and left them ready to quit after only 6 innings. The 7th proved to be as traumatic as the rest of the game with 8 runs scored by Batesville.

The Eagles score in the bottom of the 1st on 2 Pioneer fielding errors. Both Pitchers perform well with few hits and no further score until the bottom of the 3rd when a controversial ruling by the plate umpire will result in what was an apparently foul ball being ruled fair and leaving the runner at 2nd base. He was bunted to 3rd and scores on a routine ground out. The Pioneers only score will come in the 5th when Rhodes singles and is batted in by Smith. Strong Pitching by both sides will end this game with the score 2-1 Vilonia.

Pitcher Burba pitched 7 innings with 1 earned run on 3 hits with 3 walks with 10 strikeouts.

Offensive Leaders were: Fletcher - double.

The Pioneers first strike came in the top of the 2nd when a Fletcher walk and Fuqua fielders choice put runners at 1st and 2nd. Skinner singles scoring Fletcher. Davis brings in Fuqua on his single and Skinner scores on a squeeze play when Rhodes lays down a great sacrifice bunt. Davis will close the inning by scoring on a passed ball, bringing the score to 4-0 Pioneers. In the 4th the Pioneers will add a little insurance when Francis singles, steals second and third. He is joined when Gatlin is hit by a pitch and both are scored by Burba's Home Run. The Eagles only score will come in the bottom of the inning when a lead off double followed by a single will score a runner. Score 7-1 Pioneers. In the 6th, a Gatlin walk and Burba single will bring 2 to the bases. Skinner scores Gatlin with a single and Davis brings Burba and Skinner across with a double. 10-1 Pioneers. The top of the 7th will be a score-a-thon with Burba doubling, Fletcher on on a walk and both being added to Skinner's RBI total on a single. Fuqua scores when Davis reaches on a fielding error. Pinch Hitter McDougal singles and both are scored when Francis hits a long ball to right field. The final pinch of salt will be added to the wound when Smith hits a 2 run homer to bring the score to it's final of 18-1 Pioneers.

Pitcher Henrickson pitched 7 innings and allowed 1 run on 4 hits with 1 walk and 10 strikeouts.

Offensive Leaders were:Francis - double, 2 singles; Smith - home run; Burba - home run double, single; Skinner - 4 singles; Davis - double, single.