Pioneers Victorious!

Clean Sweep at Xtra Innings Spring Classic

Carl's Scorecard

published Monday, Mar. 27, 2006

The Pioneers finished out their premiere appearance in the Xtra Innings Spring classic by defeating their second and third day opponents, Central Arkansas Christian and Rivercrest. In so doing they completed the sweep they had begun on Friday with a 4-0 win over Bentonville.

Friday the Pioneers faced off against the Central Arkansas Christian Mustangs. The Pioneers brought veteran pitcher Addison Rayford to the mound to start the game. The Pioneers get on the board in the second when Aaron Thornton who walks on is scored by a base hit by Hunter Platt. This won't be the last score for Thornton who will eventually score four of the Pioneers seven runs, going 3 for 3 with a walk and two home runs. The Pioneers tack on three runs in the third, When Eary and Milum hit back to back doubles, Milum scores Eary and Courtesy Runner McMullin scores on a Mustang fielding error. Thornton hits on and is scored by a Davis base hit, to bring the score to 4-0 Pioneers. In the fifth Thornton hits a solo homer and the Mustangs score their first run of the game to bring the score to 5-1. Rayford is relieved in the sixth by Cameron Ward who has a brief appearance and allows one run on one hit and two walks. Cody Aycock finishes out the inning allowing no additional runs. The Pioneers add two more runs in the seventh when Walls walks on and is scored by Thornton with his second home run. The Mustangs eak out an additional run to bring the final score to 7-2 Pioneers. Winning Pitcher is Rayford. Hitting for the Pioneers: Platt (1B) Eary (2B) Thornton(2xHR,1B) Milum (2B).

On Saturday, The Pioneers faced off against the Rivercrest Colts. The Colts from Wilson, Arkansas were a new opponent to the Pioneers. Coach Rush brings Clint Walls out of the bullpen for this first match up, and he sets them down in order in the first inning picking up his first of four strikeouts for his appearance. Only Pioneer Hunter Platt reaches in] the bottom of the inning when he is hit by a pitch. Walls appears to be in trouble in the second inning with runners at the corners after an HP and a single. However, the middle infield pair of Nick Davidson and Evan Eary turn the first of two double plays of the game to end the Colt threat. The Pioneers get on the board in the bottom of the third when lead off batter Platt doubles and eventually scores on a passed ball. Pioneers Eary and Chris Milum walk on but niether are able to score, with Eary picked off attempting home in a rather acrobatic fashion. The Colts even the score with a lad off hit scored by a follow up hit, but again the Colts are shut down by the 4-6-3 double play. The Colts take their only lead of the game in the toop of the fifth when a one out hit and hp put runners at first and second. Walls is relieved by Cody Aycock who allows a hit scoring the lead Colt runner. Aycock strikes out the next batter and a fly ball to center field ends the Colt rally. The Pioneers pick up three runs in the bottom of the inning when lead off batter Addison Rayford singles and is joined by Platt on a fielding error. Davidson doubles, scoring Rayford. Milum hits scoring Platt but leaving Davidson out on a Fielder's choice. Milum is relieved by Kyle McMullin who is scored on a Jason Angel hit, giving the Pioneers a 4-2 lead after five complete. In the sixth a lead off walk leads to a Colt score but the Pioneers rally back and add three more runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Lead off batter Kelly Davis hits and is advanced to second by Rayford with a sac bunt. Consecutive hits by Platt and Davidson load the bases for the Pioneers. Eary hits a sac fly to score Davis, Platt scores on a wild pitch and Davidson on an error by the catcher, bringing the score to it's final tally of 7-3 Pioneers. Winning Pitcher is Aycock. Hitting for the Pioneers: Platt(1B,2B) Davidson(1B,2B) Angel(2x1B) Davis(1B) Rayford(1B).

The Pioneers continue conference play on Tuesday afternoon at Nettleton with conference rivals the Nettleton Raiders.