Pioneers Stage Huge Comeback Victory

Eagles Soar No More!

published Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Things were looking very bleak for the Pioneers last night in their 2nd round State Tournament game against the Crossett Eagles. With 4 1/2 innings complete the Pioneers were trailing 10-2, had committed 6 fielding errors and had been outhit by the Eagles 9-2. Then, the Baseball Gods, in all their mighty wisdom, saw fit to reward the Pioneers undying optimism with a turn of events that left the Eagles standing in disbelief and despair. After visions of a run ruled victory, they are left walking off the field, defeated and homeward bound. The Pioneers won this one by sheer determination. They never surrendered their will to win, every batter walked to the plate determined to deliver, every batter that failed to reach base was welcomed back to the dugout like a conquering hero. If there is any doubt in anyone's mind that these boy's can't play as a team, last night's performance should dispel them. Not only did they play like a team, they played like champions.

With Pitcher Evan Eary on the mound things started well enough with a quick strikeout. However, a hit compounded with the first Pioneer error puts runners at first and second. Another hit scores the Eagles first run of the game. Eary retires the side with 2 more strikeouts. A ground out and 2 fly balls end the inning for the Pioneers. Again, in the second Eary strikes out the first Eagle batter followed by a hit and a walk to put runners on first and second. The Eagles score one on a Pioneer error and 2 more from a base hit. Another hit scores the fourth run of the inning. Catcher Chris Milum picks off a runner attempting second and Eary strikes out his fifth to end the top of the inning. Milum leads off in the bottom with a triple and is relieved on third by Kyle McMullin. Jason Angel hits a shot up the third baseline where the Eagle fielder makes a diving catch to put Angel out and tags the base before McMullin can return to it. A strikeout ends the Pioneers hopes in the second inning, putting Crossett ahead 5-0 after two complete. Crossett adds another run in the third when an error allows the lead batter on base. He will eventually score on a Sacrifice fly. Eary adds strikeouts 6 and 7 to his total to end the inning. The Pioneers are again unable to score with only Addison Rayford reaching base on a walk. In the top of the fourth the Eagles pick up one run on a solo home run. Eary adds another strikeout. The Pioneers get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning when Eary singles and is advanced to third by Milum with a hit. McMullin relieves Milum and steals second in short order. Angel forces the Eagles first error of the game with a ground ball, scoring Eary. Clint Walls reaches on a fielders choice scoring McMullin. Rayford and Davis hit safely to load the bases, but are left on at the end of the inning bring the score to 7-2 Eagles after 4 complete. The Eagles add 3 runs in the top of the fifth with a single, HP, and a double. The third run scores on 2 consecutive Pioneer errors relaying the ball in from the outfield. A walk and an HP will result in Eary's relief after 4 1/3 innings. Reliever Addison Rayford takes the mound and the Pioneers turn a 4-6-3 double play to end the Eagles at bat. It couldn't look much darker than it did now, down 10-2 in the fifth. But the Pioneers rallied with Hunter Platt leading off. The Eagles pitcher hits Platt with an 0-2 count. Platt steals second and is joined by Cameron Ward who walks. Eary hits a Sac fly to score Platt. Ward advances to second on a passed ball. Milum walks and is relieved by McMullin. Angel advances on a fielders choice moving Ward to third and leaving McMullin out at second. Clint Walls doubles scoring Ward and Angel. Rayford hits scoring Walls. Consecutive walks by Kelly Davis and Casey Aycock load the bases forcing a Eagles pitching change. With Platt back at the plate he takes his second HP of the inning forcing in Rayford. But a ground out end the Pioneer rally. After 5 complete the score is 10-7 Crossett. The sixth inning is scoreless with Rayford picking up a strikeout against the first batter. A hit and a stolen base put a Crossett runner in scoring position, but Eary circles behind the runner blocks the base, takes the throw from Rayford for the pick off. The Pioneer suffer 2 strikeouts themselves in the bottom of the inning.

It's do or die time for the Pioneers in the seventh, when a lead off single put an Eagle at first. The next batter hits a ground ball back to Rayford who throws to second to get the lead runner. Rayford walks the next batter to put runners at first and second. A fly out to center field advances the lead runner to third with 2 down. The next batter hits a blooper to the left side which appears to be an rbi single until a diving catch by shortstop Eary ends the play with a third out instead. The Pioneers take up the bats with great enthusiasm, the Eagles are visibly shaken by the turn of events, and Rayford worsens the situation for them by leading off with a double. Kelly Davis hits to the shortstop, and Rayford charges for third. From my angle it appears that the first baseman stepped away from the bag to make the catch and try to catch Rayford as he closed on the plate. While Rayford is safe at home, the umpire declares Davis out at first. Considerable discussion between Coach Rush and the Umpire didn't change the decision so the score goes to 10-8 with 1 out. Aycock goes to the plate and walks on. Platt doubles scoring Aycock. Ward singles, advances Platt to third, and Ward advances to second on the a fielders throw. With runners at second and third, Eary swings away, with a hit to the outfield, scoring both Platt and Ward to end the game, advancing the Pioneers to the semi-finals and sealing the Eagles fate.

The Pioneers return to Blytheville tonight to face the Stuttgart Ricebirds. The winner will face the winner of the Harrison - Vilonia game in Baum Stadium for the 4A State Championship. Good Luck, Pioneers!