Pioneers Open Conference Season

Rams adapt poorly to Snow

published Wednesday, March 16, 2005

Baseball weather returned to Batesville last night in the form of rain, sleet and snow. Despite the valiant efforts of the grossly underpaid groundskeepers, the conference season opening double header with the Paragould Rams was shortened to only one game. But what a game! The Pioneers racked up a very impressive 20 hits and 22 runs while allowing only 9 Ram runners to score. This after the Rams were up 5 after only ½ inning.

Starting Pitcher Addison Rayford took the mound for the Pioneers in the light drizzle and snow and immediately began to struggle. After a lead off single and a fielding error allowed 2 Ram batters on base, Rayford was unable to find the zone and is relieved after allowing 6 more Ram batters to reach base. This leaves reliever Clint Walls in the unenviable position of taking the mound with 5 runs on the board, bases loaded and no outs. Walls was up to the task though, striking out the first Ram batter, gaining a second out on a infield fly and ending the inning with a routine fielders choice, having allowed no additional runners to score. The Pioneers started their recovery quickly, with back to back hits by Nick Davidson and Evan Eary. Jason Angel hits safely scoring Davidson, and Eary follows him in on a Ram fielding error. Angel will also score on an infield error to bring the score to 5 – 3 Paragould at the end of the first inning. Walls appears to work better under pressure, and loads the bases with a hit and 2 walks. But again he holds the Rams scoreless striking out the next 3 batters to hold the Rams scoreless again. The Pioneers capitalize, and take the lead when Walls singles, and is relieved by courtesy runner Travis Garner. Garner advances on 2 ground outs and is scored by Davidson on a single. Eary brings him to third with a double and both are scored by Chris Milum with another double. The Pioneers take the lead 6-5. In the third inning Walls allows 2 hits but leaves the runners stranded by striking out 2 more Paragould batters. The bottom of the third inning will add an impressive 9 runs to the Pioneer score. Five consecutive base hits by Rayford, Cody Aycock, Walls, Casey Aycock and Hunter Platt score 3 runs. After a ground out, singles by Eary and Milum, a double by Jason Angel and the final hit of the inning by the batter who had lead off the inning, Addison Rayford, the Pioneers pick up 9 hits and 9 runs in one inning. The Rams refused to go down quietly and rallied back in the fourth. With the first 2 batters out, a series of hits, a walk and a fielding error would narrow the score to 15-9. But the Pioneers struck back with their own rally. Casey Aycock, Platt, and Davidson load the bases on an error, walk and single. Eary hits one in the gap and clears the bases with a triple. Milum is hit by a pitch and relieved at first by Kyle McMullin. McMullin attempts to steal second, the Rams catcher throws at him, Eary charges home and the second baseman relays the ball back to the catcher, missing both runners. Angel walks and Rayford singles. Cody Aycock claims an rbi with a Sac fly and Walls scores the last 2 Pioneer runs of the evening with a double. The top of the fifth goes by quickly, with closing pitcher Cameron Ward taking the mound and setting the Ram batters down in order with 3 quick strikeouts. Final score 22-9 Pioneers.

Pioneer pitcher Clint Walls claims a victory in his first appearance. Walls struck out 6, allowing only 4 runs (none earned), on 6 hits and 3 walks.

The Pioneer batting was outstanding for the night and was lead by Evan Eary who went 4 for 4, scored every time he reached base and had a triple, double, and 2 singles. Clint Walls was 3 for 4 with a double and 2 singles. Chris Milum and Jason Angel both were 2 for 3 with a double and single each, while Nick Davidson and Addison Rayford each racked up 3 singles.

The Pioneers are away Friday at Van Buren, Monday at Lake Hamilton and return to conference play next Tuesday at Marion.