Pioneers go 2 for 3 in Early Week Action

Split in Conference Opener

Carl's Scorecard - Greenbrier

Carl's Scorecard - Paragould #1

Carl's Scorecard - Paragould #2

published Thursday, Mar. 15, 2007

The Pioneers went two for three on Monday and Tuesday of this week facing Greenbrier on Monday and easily defeating them in a run ruled 18-8 decision. Hopes were high of a sweep of their conference opening opponent Paragould, and after a five inning 11-1 defeat of the Rams, things seemed to be firmly in the Pioneers control. However, as we sometimes say "The wheels fell off" in the second game. While Pioneer pitcher Steven Cesarski worked with great success from the mound, the Pioneer batters could not deliver timely hits to gain the lead and after their first night of conference play the Pioneers find themselves with a 1-1 conference record. The Pioneers saw three pitchers take their first trip to the mound on Monday against the Greenbrier Panthers. Price Holmes, Aaron Thornton and Nick Palese all made their first varsity appearances in the run-ruled but full seven inning game. The game offered a rare triple play when with bases loaded the ball is hit back to Holmes on the mound. Holmes relays the ball to catcher Kyle Kallsnick who tags home for the force. He relays the ball to third baseman Thornton who tags third for the second force out and forwards the ball to Cesarski at first. Two Panther runners are standing on the bag so he tags them both for the third out. The Pioneers have a two run lead at this time with the score at 4-2. After adding two additional runs Pioneer courtesy runner Will Lindsey is at third with Cody Aycock at first. Aycock starts for second and the Panther catcher makes an attempt at him, leaving the way clear for Lindsey to score before the second baseman can relay the ball back. The Panthers add three runs in the fourth, but the Pioneers take on five of their own capped by a 2 rbi homer by Aycock. In the sixth, again the Panthers gain ground against the Pioneers with three additional runs, but the Pioneers answer with six of their own, including a 2 rbi triple by Aycock and a ground rule, gaming ending double by Trent Weeks. Final score 18-8 Pioneers, Winning Pitcher Holmes. Hitting for the Pioneers, Arnold - 3b,2b; N. Palese - 1b; J. Palese - 2x1b; Kallsnick - 2b; Cesarski - 2b; Weeks - 2x2b; Aycock - 3b,hr; Simpson - 2b.

Tuesday's opener against Paragould started with veteran pitcher Aycock on the mound. the lead off Ram batter reached after being hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a balk, third on a passed ball and was scored by the innings only hit. This was the final Ram score of the game. Aycock lead the Pioneer batters onto the bases in the bottom if the inning with a lead off triple, was joined by Arnold who singled and both scored to reclaim the lead for the Pioneers. The second inning was a completed blow out by the Pioneers after Aycock set the rams down in order. It required a total of thirteen Pioneer plate appearances before the Rams were able to gather their third out and end the inning. The Pioneers combined for seven hits and 9 runs in the inning with Weeks and Kallsnick each having two hits in the inning. This brings the score to what will be it's final of 11-1 Pioneers. Winning Pitcher Aycock allows one run on four hits while striking out five with one walk. Hitting for the Pioneers, Aycock - 3b; Arnold - 1b; Weeks - 2b,1b; J. Palase - 2x1b; Kallsnick - 2x2b; Cesarski - 1b; N. Palase - 1b.

The Pioneers faced their first conference defeat in the nightcap game. Pioneer southpaw Steven Cesarski took the mound and pitched a great game against the Raiders. However, the Pioneer batters were unable to provide timely hits to capitalize on his efforts. In all the Pioneers scattered eight hits almost equally across the seven innings played. They also left eight Pioneer runners stranded on base during the game. Comparing stats we hit more 8 - 7, struck out less 4 - 15 but still could not scratch together enough runs to win. The Pioneers get on the scoreboard first, in the second inning when a solo Weeks home run put the Pioneers in the lead. The Pitching battle continued until the fifth when consecutive Ram hits and a walk load the bases with no outs. A passed ball scores the first runner and after Cesarski strikes out two, a double scores the remaining two Ram runners, bringing the score to 3-1 Rams. A lead off hit by Cesarski in the bottom of the sixth followed by an error and a passed ball allows courtesy runner Will Lindsey to score narrowing the margin to one run. However, the Pioneers are unable to capitalize on a two out double by Thornton in the bottom of the seventh and give the Pioneers their first conference loss of the year. Losing Pitcher Cesarski allowed 3 runs on 7 hits while striking out 15 and walking one. Hitting for the Pioneers, Weeks - hr; J. Palase - 1b; Kallsnick - 1b; Arnold - 1b; N. Palese - 1b; Aycock - 1b; Cesarski - 1b; Thornton - 2b.

Hold the Rope! Carl.