Pioneers fall to Wampus Cats in Season Opener

Final Score: Conway - 12, Batesville - 9

published Tueday, Mar 9, 2004

The Pioneers opened their 2004 Season on Monday night at Conway where they faced off against the 5A Conway High School Wampus Cats. The weather was very cooperative and warm for early March and so on only our fourth attempt we actually were able to play a game! The Wampus Cats had had better luck with the weather than we and we were their seventh opponent of the year.

Coach Stu Smith and his Pioneers took the field for Stu's first game as Pioneer Head Coach since the 1999 Season. The team appeared relaxed, upbeat and ready to play. With conference games at Paragould on Tuesday Coach Smith held Pioneer ace pitchers Jeremy Burba and Grant Gatlin in reserve and elected to use the balance of the bullpen pitchers against Conway. In all, the Wampus Cats faced four Pioneer pitchers with the Pioneers facing three Conway hurlers.

While the final score, at 12 to 9 would fall in Conway's favor, the Pioneers would not go down easily. Strong performances on the mound by Senior Andy Rogers and Sophomore Evan Eary would be complemented by error free play in the field. The Pioneers hit almost as well as the Wampus Cats pounding out 10 to Conway's 13, but the games deciding factor appeared to be the Pioneers inablility to score runners. The Pioneers left 13 on while the Wampus Cats scored all but 6. All things considered, I think it was a good first outing for the Pioneers.

The Pioneers first hit of the year came from Senior Woody Skinner who hit a lead off double in the third inning, he would add a single in the fifth. Also providing hits for the Pioneers were Kyle Francis (double), Jeremy Burba (2 singles), Brad Fletcher (single), Patrick Smith (2 singles), Anthony Rhodes (single) and Brady Yeager (single).

Starting Pitcher Kyle Altom pitched 1 1/3 inning allowing 4 runs on 3 hits with 2 walks, 1 hp and 1 strikeout.
Reliever Andy Rogers pitched 2 2/3 inning allowing 2 runs on 5 hits with 0 walks, and 4 strikeouts.
Reliever Addison Rayford pitched 0 inning allowing 6 runs on 4 hits with 1 walk, and 1 hp.
Closing for the Pioneers was Evan Eary who pitched 2 innings allowing no runs on 1 hit with no walks and 2 strikeouts.

The Pioneers will see their next action today against the Paragould High Rams at Paragould High School.