Pioneer Classic Trophy Stays at Home

Batting Stats Updated

published Sunday, April 6, 2003

The Pioneers again have proven their skills this weekend by defeating strong 4A & 5A opponents to win the 2003 Pioneer Classic. In the process they defeated the White Hall Bulldogs 11-7, The Russellville Cyclones 9-1 and the Greene County Tech Eagles 15-6 in the Championship Game. This brings their record to 17-3 having won their last 4 games.

The Bulldogs came out swinging and after a series of hits and fielding errors the Pioneers found themselves behind 4 in the top of the 1st. Pioneer lead off batter Francis provided Batesville's only score in the inning when he walked stole 2nd and 3rd and scored when Burba singled. In the second White Hall added a run as did the Pioneers when Davis singles and is scored by Francis. In the third and fourth White Hall tacked on one run each inning to bring the score to 7-2 Bulldogs. Francis scores again in the fourth when he reaches on an error and is batted in by Burba. In the fifth Freshman Reliever Rayford enters the game and effectively shuts down the Bulldogs batters, allowing no further runs. However, the Pioneers stage a rally in the 5th which will result in 5 runs to tie the score 7-7. The bases are quickly loaded by Skinner and Gatlin singles and a Davis HP. Rhodes scores Skinner on an RBI single, Gatlin scores on a passed ball, and Davis and Rhodes score when Francis singles. Smith walks and Fletcher brings in the last run of the inning when Francis scores on his single. In the sixth Lead off batter Gatlin singles and courtesy runner Yeager scores when Davis doubles. Davis will score when Rhodes singles. Francis will reach on a Fielders Choice and score the last run of the game on a Bulldog fielding error.

Starting Pitcher Altom pitched 4 innings and allowed 7 runs on 7 hits with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. Reliever Rayford pitched 3 innings and allowed 0 runs on 2 hits with 0 walks and 0 strikeouts.

Offensive leaders were: Francis - 2 singles; Burba - 2 singles; Skinner - 2 singles; Davis - double, single; Rhodes - 2 singles.

The Pioneers struck quickly against the Cyclones, lead off batter Francis hits a triple and scores on a passed ball. Gatlin and Burba single and Fletcher loads the bases with a walk. Fuqua crushes the Cyclone will with a base clearing home run, to put the Cyclones down 5 in the bottom of the first. Batesville adds 2 runs in the third when Fletcher singles and eventually scores on a passed ball. Fuqua is wisely walked and will score when Davis doubles. The Cyclones only score will come in the top of the fourth with a single run. In the fifth Fuqua singles and is again scored by Davis, this time on a ground out. The sixth inning will see the final run of the game when Francis leads off with a double and is scored by a Burba base hit.

Starting Pitcher Henrickson pitched 4 innings and allowed 1 run on 3 hits with 0 walks and 2 strikeouts. Reliever Burba pitched 3 innings and allowed 0 runs on 1 hits with 0 walks and 5 strikeouts.

Offensive leaders were: Francis - triple, double, 2 singles; Burba - 2 singles; Fuqua - home run, single; Davis - double.

The Pioneers scored 2 in the top of the first. Francis and Smith both walk, Francis scores on a Gatlin single and Smith on a Fletcher Sac fly. The Eagles answer back strongly with 5 runs on 2 hits and 3 Pioneer errors. They will score 1 additional run in the in the second. The Pioneers add a single run in the third by Smith who walks and is scored on a fielding error. The Pioneers will begin their rally in the fifth when Smith triples and be scored by Gatlin on a ground out. Burba will walk and be scored by a Fletcher double, to tie the score. In the sixth the Pioneers take the lead when Skinner singles is joined by Davis on an HP and Rogers walks. Skinner scores on a passed ball and Francis loads the bases on a walk. Smith doubles, scoring Davis and Rogers. Gatlin singles scoring Francis, Smiths scores on an error and Gatlin will score the final run of the inning on a Skinner single. The top of the seventh will see the final 4 Pioneer runs. Francis singles, Gatlin reaches second and Francis scores on a long ball to center field. Fletcher walks and is joined by Fuqua with a double. Skinner's double will score them both. Tech manages 1 additional run in the seventh to bring the game and the tournament to an end.

Starting Pitcher Gatlin pitched 6 innings and allowed 5 runs on 4 hits with 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. Closer Rayford pitched 1 inning and allowed 1 runs on 1 hits with 1 walks and 0 strikeouts.

Offensive leaders were: Smith - triple, double; Gatlin - 3 singles; Fletcher - double; Fuqua - double.