Pioneers Swat Yellowjackets

published Wednesday, April 7, 2004

The Pioneers saw what I believe was their strongest conference competition so far this year last night when they faced off against the Wynne Yellowjackets. The Yellowjackets were 7 - 1 in conference play with their only loss coming from a split with Greene County Tech. The Pioneers came to the field 6 - 0 in conference play with their only close conference contest a 5 - 4 victory at Nettleton. Things changed quickly at Wynne when it became apparent that the Yellowjackets fully intended to challenge the Pioneers for the lead position in the 4A East Conference race. The result after two quickly played games were two more victories for the Pioneers in down to the wire games. The normally well hitting Pioneers struggled somewhat at the plate and leaned heavily on their pitching Aces, Jeremy Burba and Grant Gatlin. And in a strong display of pitching prowess the Batesville "Pair of Aces" almost completely shutdown the Yellowjacket offense, allowing only 1 run on 4 hits in both games combined. The Yellowjackets were never able to get the measure of either pitcher and were almost completely ineffective at the plate. The Pioneer defense also stepped up and provided error free play through both games helping to shut down the Jackets when they did put the ball in play. Kyle Francis and Anthony Rhodes in particular played well in the middle, combining for 11 assists and 3 put outs. Overall, it was a great night for Pioneer baseball with 2 well fought victories. To you other guys who haven't faced Wynne yet, better get your game face on, cause the Yellowjackets are coming to play. Marion's losses to Nettleton last night put the Pioneers in the lead for the Conference Championship pennant.

In the opener, Pioneer pitcher Jeremy Burba dominated from the mound allowing no runs on 2 hits. The game remains scoreless until the fourth when Burba doubles, and is relieved on the bases by courtesy runner Evan Eary. Eary moves to third on a long Gatlin fly ball and is scored by Patrick Smith with a perfectly executed squeeze play. The fifth inning will be the big inning for the Pioneers. With one out Andy Rogers walks and is relived by CR Kyle McMullin. McMullin advances to third on a Fracis single. Catcher Woody Skinner loads the bases when the right fielder drops a routine pop up. Skinner is relieved by CR Hunter Platt. DH Brad Fletcher singles scoring McMullin and 1st Baseman Grant Gatlin racks up 2 rbi's with his own safe hit. The game will remaing scoreless after the fifth to bring the final score to: Pioneers 4, Yellowjackets 0. Hitting for the Pioneers: Fancis - 2 singles; Skinner - double, single; Fletcher - single; Burba - double, single; Gatlin - 2 singles; Winning Pitcher Burba allowed no runs with 2 hits, 2 walks and 8 strikeouts.

In the nightcap game the Yellowjackets continued to put up determined resistance but Pitcher Grant Gatlin was just as determined. Again, the game remains scoreless until the fourth inning when lead off batter Francis reaches when the Yellowjacket second baseman fumbles the ball and is unable to complete the throw. Skinner singles and is relieved by CR Brady Yeager. Yeager will be put out on a Fielder's choice when Fletcher hits to the shortstop. Burba walks to load the bases with one out. A Gatlin hit to the Yellowjacket second baseman will again result in an error, scoring Francis and loading the bases again. Center Fielder Patrick Smith provides a timely hit and rbi's Fletcher and Burba. Wynne responds with their only run of the game when their lead off runner walks, steals second, advances to third on a passed ball and is scored on a hit. Batesville's closing run comes in the seventh when Left Fielder Hunter Platt doubles, advances on an error and is scored by Skinner with a Sac Fly. Final Score: Pioneers 4, Wynne 1. Hitting for the Pioneers:Francis - single; Skinner - single; Smith - single; Davis - single; Platt - double. Winning Pitcher Gatlin allowed 1 run with 2 hits, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts.

The Pioneers return home on Thursday for a Varsity / JV series with the Newport Grayhounds. First Pitch is scheduled for 4:00 PM.