Pioneer Swat Yellow Jackets

published Wednesday, April 9, 2003

The Batesville Pioneers added 2 conference wins Tuesday to bring them to 8-2 in the conference and 19-3 overall. Again, strong appearances by the pitching staff and solid hitting, base running and good defensive play proved to be too much for Wynne. They fell easily in the first game 16-1, they did stay in the game in the nightcap, but the cold and the Pioneer defense again proved to be too much for them and they were defeated again, this time 4-1. Conference rival Nettleton retains the lead in the 4A east at 9-1 having defeated Marion last night.

While Wynne will remain scoreless until the 4th and score there only run then on a Pioneer fielding error, the Pioneers will start out scoring from the first. In the 1st inning Smith walks and eventually scores on a fielding error which also allows Burba to reach 1st. Fletcher doubles driving in courtesy runner Yeager and is scored by another Fuqua ($$$) home run ($$$). 4-0 Pioneers. In the second, Francis singles steals second and scores on a Gatlin single. Gatlin scores on a Wynne fielding error. 6-0 Pioneers. The third will bring 2 additional runs, lead off Davis singles, Rhodes advances on a HP and both are scored by Gatlin. 6-0 Pioneers. In their 4th and final at bat, lead off Fletcher singles, and is scored by Skinner with a single. Davis joins him on a single and Skinner is scored by Rhodes with a single. Francis clears the bases with a 2 rbi triple and scores on a passed ball. Smith and Gatlin single, Fletcher walks and Smith scores on a passed ball. Fuqua has a 2 rbi hit to end the pain for Wynne and bring the score to it's final value.

Pitcher Burba pitched 5 innings with 1 run on 4 hits with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts.

Offensive Leaders were: Francis - triple, single; Gatlin - 3 singles; Fletcher - double, single; Fuqua - home run, single; Skinner - double, single.

While the Wynne batters go down 1-2-3 in the 1st, the Pioneers put 3 on the scoreboard when Smith bunts on and a series of errors allow Gatlin and Burba to also reach base. Smith and Gatlin will score on errors and Burba scores on a Fuqua single. Wynne will score their only run of the game in the 2nd inning when Boeckman doubles and is scored on an Epps Sac fly. They will only manage 1 additional hit after this inning. The Pioneers will not be able to rack up a large number of runs this game either. Their only additional run will come in the 4th when lead off batter Francis singles, steals yet another base (how many bases can you steal before it is a felony?), and is scored by Smith with a single.

Pitcher Henrickson went the distance with 7 innings pitched, allowing 1 run on 4 hits with 1 walk and 1 strikeout.

Offensive Leaders were:Smith - 2 singles; Burba - double.