Pioneers Shave Bears

Marion Driving Directions

published Tuesday, March 18, 2003

In a game that was difficult to keep up with, both due to the length, (about 3 hours) and the score, (31 runs) the Pioneers squeaked by the Sylvan Hills Bears 16 - 15 on Monday night. Again, the Pioneers proved they could hit through the lineup with every Pioneer batter delivering at the plate. The Pioneers used this opportunity to prepare for Tuesday's Conference double header with the 6-1 Marion Patriots at Marion.

The Pioneer batters combined for a total of 16 hits. In the 1st inning lead off batter Francis doubles and scores on a Bears error. The second inning was a long one with 10 runs scored, it went something like this: lead off Fuqua walks and is joined by Skinner on a single. Fuqua is scored by a Davis Sac Fly. Rhodes singles is joined by Smith on a single. Gatlin singles bringing in Rhodes. Burba walks, loading the bases. Fletcher reaches on an error which will also score Smith. Fuqua's single will bring in Gatlin. Skinner singles for the second time in the inning and scores Burba. Fletcher follows in on a wild pitch. Davis will bring in Fuqua and Skinner on a single and score the final run after being advanced by another Rhodes single (also his second of the inning) and scoring on an error by the Bears.

Starting Pitcher Rogers pitched 1 1/3 innings allowing 5 runs on 6 hits with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. Reliever Altom pitched 2/3 innings allowing 2 runs on 2 hits with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts. Reliever Rayford pitched 3 innings allowing 8 runs on 6 hits with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts. Reliever Henrickson pitched 1 inning allowing 0 runs on 0 hits with 0 walks and 1 strikeout. Closer Gatlin pitched 1 inning allowing 0 runs on 0 hits with 0 walks and 1 strikeout.

Offensive leaders were: Francis - triple, double; Smith - home run, single; Burba - 2 singles; Fletcher - double, single; Fuqua - 2 singles; Skinner - 2 singles; Rhodes - 3 singles. The Pionners combined for 16 hits and 5 walks.

In the JV Game, the JV Pioneers fell to the Bears 4-2. Opening for the Pioneers was Angel who pitched 1 innings allowing 0 runs on 0 hits with 0 walks and 2 strikeouts. Whitener relieved pitching 1 inning allowing 3 runs on 2 hits with 1 walk and 0 strikeouts. Davis followed pitching 1 inning allowing 0 runs on 1 hit with 0 walks and 0 strikeouts. Ward relieved pitching 1 inning allowing 1 run on 1 hit with 0 walks and 1 strikeout. And Eiry closed pitching 1 inning allowing 0 runs on 0 hits with 1 walk and 0 strikeouts. Hitting for the Pioneers was Angel - double; Walden - single; Whitener - single.