Pioneers Down Devils

published Friday, March 14, 2003

The Jacksonville Red Devils came to visit the Pioneers Thursday night but went home with long faces and losses. Although in both games the Devils were able to jump out to early leads they were unable to hold off Pioneer recoveries that lead to their defeat. In the Varsity opener the Devils never led by more than one and the Pioneer score continually mounted to it's final of 10-6 Pioneers. The JV allowed 4 runs early but closed the door on the Red Devils in the 4th with 6 quick runs. Another great night for Pioneer Baseball.

Varsity Game

The Red Devils get on the board in the 1st when 2 hits and a fielding error allow their 1st run of the game. The Pioneers answer in the second when Burba singles and is scored by a Gatlin double. In the top of the 3rd the Red Devils take the lead with a 2 rbi double. The Pioneers bring the score to 3-2 when Smith bunts on and eventually scores on a Jacksonville shortstop error. The 4th inning is a big one for the Pioneers, Gatlin singles, and is joined by Davis on an error. Francis singles scoring Gatlin. Smith, Fletcher and Fuqua walk scoring 2 more runs and bringing about a pitching change. However, The Devil's will walk 2 more, Burba and Skinner, to allow 2 more runs and bring the total to 5 straight walks and the score to 7-3 Pioneers. In the 5th the Pioneers add some padding to the score when lead off batter Rhodes walks and Francis singles. A Smith single followed by a flurry of Jacksonville errors will bring the score to 10-3. In the top of the 6th a Red Devil double will be their only hit of the inning. He will score on a routine infield out. The Pioneers are scoreless in the 6th. In their final at bat the Red Devils will score 2 runs with 2 doubles and 1 single but the damage is done and the final score will stand at Pioneers - 10, Red Devils - 6.

Starting Pitcher Rogers allowed 3 runs on 3 hits with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. Reliever Altom allows 3 runs on 5 hits with 2 walks and 3 strikeouts.

Offensive leaders were: Francis - 2 singles; Smith 2 singles; Gatlin - 1 double, 1 single.

JV Game

The game was scoreless until the top of the second when Jacksonville scored 4 consecutive runs on a series of walks and errors with only 1 hit allowed. These would be the only runs scored by Jacksonville in the game. Batesville would answer in the 4th when lead off batter Platt singles and is joined by Reeves on a walk. A McDougal single followed by a fielding error would score Platt. Eary singles clearing the bases. He is joined by Walden and Morrow on HBP's . A Baker single scores Eary and Walden. The final run of the inning and the game would be Baker scoring on Milum's Sac Fly.

Final Score Pioneers - 6, Red Devils - 4.

Starting Pitcher McChesney allowed 4 runs on 1 hit with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts. Ward pitched 1 inning and allowed 1 hit. Whitener pitched 1 inning with 2 strikeouts. Davis finished with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts.