Pioneers Pluck Eagles

20 Wins for 16 Consecutive Years!

Carl's Scorecard - GCT Game #1

Carl's Scorecard - GCT Game #2

published Saturday, Apr. 21, 2007

The Pioneers returned victorious from Bland Field at Paragould Tuesday night having accomplished several key steps toward their goal of another state championship. First, a sweep of the Eagles with dominating wins, claiming 20 Pioneer wins for the 16th consecutive season, and gaining two additonal victories strengthens their hold on second place in the conference, resulting in a better seed in the state tournament. With only Beebe left, the Pioneers need only finish the conference strongly with another sweep to be ready for tournament play at Camden.

In the opener, starting pitcher Cody Aycock dominated the Eagles from start to finish. The only run he gave up was a solo home run in the second. In fact, no eagle runner would advance to third except their solo scorer. The Pioneers first score in the second inning with a one out Nick Palese Jack. The Pioneers add three runs in the fourth when lead off batter Steven Cesarski* hits safely and is joined by Nick Palese with a HP. Kyle Kallsnick picks up an rbi single and Trent Weeks picks up the last two of the inning with another home run. The fifth inning adds two insurance runs for the Pioneers when, with two outs, Cesarski* reaches on an error. Palese hits and both are scored by Kallsnick who doubles and picks up two more rbi's. They put the icing on the cake and bring the score to it's final in the sixth, when an error allows lead off Will Lindsey to reach first. He is scored by Ross Simpson on a two bagger. Simpson strolls home after Jake Arnold sends one over the fence to add the last two runs and bring the score to 9-1 Pioneers. Aycock allowed one run on three hits with 3 walks and five strikeouts. Batting for the Pioneers: Palese - hr,1b; Kallsnick - 2b,2x1b; Arnold - hr,1b; Cesarski* - 1b; Weeks - hr; Lindsey - 2x1b; Simpson - 2b.

In the nightcap, Pioneer pitcher Cesarski* continued what Aycock had started in the first by totally dominating the Eagle batters. In fact, Cesarski* only faced two batters more than the minimum twenty one required for a regulation seven inning game. He also gave up one run in the second to the same home run hitter from the first game. In the second game, no batter after that point in the game would even reach second base! The Pioneers fall behind 1-0 in the second but quickly gain the lead in the top of the third when lead off batter Lindsey walks on and is advanced by Simpson with a safety. With two outs and both runners still stranded Aaron Thornton reaches on an error to load the bases. Cesarski* hits a bases juiced long ball to put the Pioneers up 4-1 in the top of the third. In the fifth, Arnold hits safely, advances on a stolen base and is scored by Thornton who doubles. The Pioneers add their last run of the inning in the top of the seventh when consecutive doubles by Cesarski* and Thornton put the Big C across the plate and brings the score to its final of 6-1 Pioneers. Winning Pitcher Cesarski* allows only 1 run on two hits and no walks while striking out eight. Batting for the Pioneers: Simpson - 1b; Cesarski* - 1b,2b,hr; Weeks - 1b,2b; Arnold - 1b; Thornton - 2x2b; Lindsey - 1b.

* Cesarski has so many nicknames it is beyond belief. I've heard there are those attempting to compile an accurate list and it now stands at around 70. Hail Cesarski!

Hold the Rope! Carl.