Pioneers fall to Golden Eagles

published Wednesday, April 16, 2003

The Pioneers were defeated in Paragould Tuesday night by the hard hitting Greene County Tech Golden Eagles. In the opener, The Eagles hit well in the 1st 3 innings with 6 runs on 4 hits with only 1 strikeout. Two of the runs were unearned having occurred due to Pioneer fielding errors. Burba closed stronger with 7 strikeouts in the last 3 innings but also giving up 3 runs in the 5th. The Pioneers were never able to put together enough hits to stay in competition with only 5 hits scattered through the game. The second game started better with the Pioneers quickly jumping out to a 5 run lead with strong hitting in the middle of the lineup. Starting Pitcher Henrickson pitched well and held a 4 run lead when he was relieved by Altom in the 6th. A 3 run home run and another unearned run ties the game, and a wild pitch in the 7th would result in the Pioneers going home with 2 conference losses.

Tech scores quickly, with their lead off runner reaching on a Pioneer fielding error and scoring on a wild pitch. They add 2 in the second on 2 consecutive hits scored by a Eagle double. The Pioneers get on the board in the 3rd when 2 long fly balls by Smith and Fletcher, both deflect off the fielder's gloves and fall. (3-1 GCT). Tech scores again in the 4th when another infield error allows a runner on (4-1 GCT). The 5th is a big inning for Tech when yet another error puts a runner on and 3 hits will add 3 runs (7-1 Tech). Fuqua pads his account and home run count with our last run of the game in the top of the 6th bringing the score to it's final value.

The Pioneers came out swinging in the second game with lead off hitter Francis singling and be scored by Burba on a double. He in turn is scored by Fletcher, also on a double. They add 3 runs in the second, in a 2 out rally when Francis and Smith walk and are scored by Gatlin with a long home run ball. Tech rallies with 2 runs of their own with a single and a home run (5-2 Pioneers). In the 3rd, the Pioneers add 1 when lead off batter Fletcher adds another Pioneer home run. Tech, not to be outdone, adds 2 runs with a walk and another Eagle home run (6-4 Pioneers). In the 4th, a Tech single and rbi triple narrow the Pioneer lead to 1 run (6-5 Pioneers). The Pioneers rally in the 5th when lead off Burba doubles, and is joined by Fletcher on a single. Fuqua is intentionally walked. An Eagle fielding error will score Burba, Fletcher scores on Rhodes' single and Fuqua on a Francis sacrifice fly. Tech manages 1 run in the inning on 3 hits (9-6 Pioneers). The Pioneers add their last run of the game in the 6th with a solo Burba home run. The Eagles tie the game in the bottom of the inning. Henrickson is relieved with 1 out and a runner on 1st. Altom takes over the mound, walks the 1st batter and a Eagle home run adds 3 to the Tech score. The 4th run of the inning will come after a runner singles is advanced to third and scores on a Pioneer error(10-10). The Eagles will close the game in the 7th with a 2 out single, advanced to 3rd by a following hit and scored on a wild pitch.