Pioneers Romp in Raidertown II

Sweep Raiders in Conference Action

Carl's Scorecard - Game #1

Carl's Scorecard - Game #2

published Wednesday, Mar. 29, 2006

It was a night to remeber last night in Nettleton, home of the Raiders, the Pioneers long time conference rivals. Our last conference contest visit to Nettleton was in 2004. Many of you may remeber that it shaped up very similarly to last nights opening game. A low scoring defensive game, the Pioneers found themselves trailing going into the 7th. Then, as now, exceptional play and the Pioneer winning spirit prevailed. In both cases the score was 5-4, in both cases the nightcap game was a no-contest. The Pioneers continue to prove their merit and their spirit through exceptional play and the ability to step up upon demand. Great job, guys!

Pioneer ace pitcher Evan Eary takes the mound in the opening game and although he got off to a slightly rocky start in the first inning allowing three Raider runs, from that point until he is relieved after eight he completely dominated the Raider batters. After the first inning only a Raider home run scores and only one other raider gets to third. Eary strikes out 12 for the night and ends his apperance with 3 consecutive K's in the eighth.The Pioneer batters struggle until the sixth when Aaron Thornton hits on and is relieved by Ross Simpson. Jason Angel cranks one out for a 2 rbi home run closing the score to 4-2 Raiders. With the crunch on in the top of the seventh, lead off batter Addison Rayford walks on, advances to second when Hunter Platt flys out and steals third. He is joined by Nick Davidson who is hit by a pitch. Davidson steals second to put two in scoring position. A Sac from pitcher Eary scores Rayford, and the pressure proves to be too much for the Raider pitcher who intentionally walks Milum and then consecutively walks Thornton and Angel to force in the run that will eventually prove to be the Raiders undoing. No score in the eighth and the top of the ninth brings Eary to the plate for a double. He advances to third when Thornton grounds out and then a wild pitch gets away from the Raider catcher allowing Eary to score the go ahead run. Reliever Cameron Ward makes a brief appearnace allowing two walks and picking up one out on a Sac Bunt. He is relieved by Cody Aycock and the middle infield combo of Davidson and Eary roll a beautiful double play to get the Raider advanceing to second and slam the door with a relay to Angel for the final out, ending the Raiders hopes in the opener. Hitting for the Pioneers: Davidson (1b) Milum (1b) Thornton(1b) Angel(HR, 2B) Eary(2B)

The Raiders folded up like a cheap lawn chair in the night cap. The Pioneers jump out to a 3-0 lead on hits from Platt and Eary in the top of the first and Pioneer Pitcher Addison Rayford takes the mound to face the Raiders. He picks up the first three of his seven strikeouts for the night allowing the first of only four hits allowed in the game. He also completely dominated the Raiders with no Raider advancing past second and only two reaching there. Three more runs in the second by Davidson, Casey Aycock and Platt on an error, walk and hit. The score moves to 7-0 Pioneers in the third when Davidson doubles and is scored by Aycock. The wheels fall of for the Raiders in the last two of this run ruled five inning game. In the fourth, the Pioneers move the score to 11-0 with runs by Eary, Mcmullin, courtecy running for Milum, Thornton and pinch hitter Nick Palase (pronounced Police in Nettleton). The fifth is a formality with the Pioneers bring the score to 16-0 with runs by Platt, Rayford, Eary, Angel and Palase. Batters Trent Weeks, Ross Simpson pick up their first hits of the season, and Dayne Whiteside is the last Pioneer runner to reach base when he is hit by a pitch. The Pioneer Romp in Raidertown yet again! hitting for the Pioneers: Platt(2x1B) Eary(2B,3x1B) Rayford(1B) Milum(2x1B) Thornton(1B) Angel(2x1B) Palase(1B) Davidson(1B,2B) Casey Aycock(1B) Weeks(1B) Simpson(1B)

The Pioneers pick up action again Thursday in the tournament in Covington, TN. I will be unable to attend these games due to commitments at work that I am unable to avoid. On Saturday, I will be working at home as the Tournament Director of the Pioneer Classic. I send my best with the Pioneers and my condolences to their opponents. Good Luck, Guys.