Pioneers Plaster Patriots

25-0 too much for Marion - Move to 6A

2006 State Bracket

Carl's Scorecard - Marion Game #1

Carl's Scorecard - Marion Game #2

published Wednesday, May. 3, 2006

The Pioneers were in great form and obviously a very upbeat mood Tuesday night when they took the field against Marion. The Patriots were in a do or die situation needing a sweep of the Pioneers to even attend the tournament. Under the watchful eye of a bus load of Nettleton Raiders, the Pioneers dispelled any hope the Patriots had of a trip to Mills this year. Even their ace Justin Counce was unable to stem the surge of the Pioneer batters giving up 11 hits throughout the order to the Pioneers. In the other half of the innings the Patriots found Pioneer hurler Evan Eary to much to handle. Eary gave up only 1 meager hit that in the fourth inning, which rusulted in their only run of the game. Eary picked up 9 strikeouts, allowing only 1 walk and hitting one batter in the 5 inning run ruled game.

While the Pioneers have typically hit will in the later part of their games, and often had to rally with two outs, this was not the case in the opener against Marion. In four of the five innings the lead off Pioneer reached base safely, and in every case he scored. The Pioneers big innings were the second and fourth with four runs in each inning. A routine pop up with bases loaded ended the Patriots hopes when they failed to field the ball and the winning run crossed the plate. The final score was 11-1 Pioneers. Winning Pitcher: Eary. Hitting for the Pioneers: Cody Aycock(1b) Eary(1b) Thornton(2x1b) Davidson(2x1b) Rayford(2x1b) Platt(2x1b) Angel(1b)

In the nightcap game the Pioneers bring Addison Rayford to the mound. He hits the first batter, who eventuallys scores on a Pioneer error to give the Patriots their first lead of the night. That lead won't last long as the Pioneers take on three runs in the second. Getting the lead runner, Thornton, on base with a hit, he advances to third when the Patriot second baseman throws the ball away in the first part of a thwarted double play. Thornton then simply steals home to put the Pioneers on the board. Davidson and Rayford also score in the inning to put the Pioneers ahead 3-1 after two complete. In the third errors give each side an additional run to up the scores to 4-2. A solo home run by pitcher Rayford opens the gap a little after four to 5-2. The Patriots add an unaswered run it the fifth to bring the score th 5-3. Coach Rush elects to relive Rayford at this point. Rayford left the field after giving up only 2 hits, but hitting 3 and allowing 2 walks, he picked up 6 strikeouts along the way. Reliever Cody Aycock took the mound in the top of the seventh, and quickly picked up his first strikeout. He struggled finding the zone then and walked 2 consecutive batters. A hit loads the bases and a hit batter scores a Patriot run, leaving the bases loaded. However a great double play prevents any additional Patriot runs. In the bottom of the inning the Pioneers lead off with a Platt double. and the next four consecutive Pioneers reach base, including a Milum 2 RBI home run. The Patriots finally manage to stem the Pioneers after allowing 4 additional runs bringing the score to 9-4 Pioneers. In the top of the seventh, Patriot Justin Counce, said farewell to high school baseball with a long home run. Pioneer pitcher then said goodbye to the Patriots, striking out one and shutting down the last two with routine ground outs. Aycock allowed 2 runs on 2 hits with 2 strikeouts and 2 walks in 2 innings. He seems to like the number "2". Winning Pitcher: Rayford. Hitting for the Pioneers: Milum(hr,2x1b) Thornton(2x1b) Rayford(hr,2x1b) Cody Aycock(1b) Platt(2b,2x1b) Eary(1b) Davidson(1b). I hope everyone will bring their friends and families to Mills to watch the Pioneers play. They are definitely hitting a hot streak and a good crowd could be key to success in a crucial away game. Hope to see you there!