Pioneers 2 for 3 in Pioneer Classic

Claim Consolation Bracket Championship

Carl's Scorecard - White Hall

Tammy's Scorecard - Russellville

Tammy's Scorecard - Watson Chapel

published Sunday, Apr. 9, 2006

The Pioneers went 2 for 3 at the Pioneer Classic this weekend, which allowed them to claim the Consolation Bracket Championship trophy. The Tournament itself was won by the Searcy Lions after defeating the runner up team, the Jonesboro Golden Hurricane. The Marion Patriots finished third.

The Pioneers lost their first game to White Hall, a back and forth struggle with the Bulldogs maintaining the lead till the fifth inning when the Pioneers staged a 3 run rally to take the lead 4-3. However, the Bulldogs came back in the top of the seventh to pick up two runs and claim the win 5-4. Losing Pitcher Walls. Hitting for the Pioneers: Thornton(2b,1b) Platt (3b,2b) Rayford(3b) Milum(1b)

Things started out rocky for the Pioneers when they faced the Russellville Cyclones Friday morning. With Pioneer Pitcher Cameron Ward on the mound the Cyclones quickly jumped out to a 4-1 after two complete innings. However, in typical Pioneer fashion they rallied in the third, forcing two pitching changes by the Cyclones and picking up 5 runs and the leaed along the way. A lead off home run by catcher Chris Milum, followed by a series of walks, hit batsmen and passed balls would leave the Cyclones trailing on the scoreboard and with their third pitcher on the mound. The Cyclones tie the score in the top of the fourth and take the lead in the fifth, and Ward is relieved by Jeff Whitener, making his first appearance on the mound for the Pioneers. Whitener picks up three quick outs to end the Cyclone threat. With the Pioneers down one in the top of the seventh and one runner on after a walk, Coach Rush relieves Whitener, to close with Cody Aycock. Aycock allows no hits or walks with only one Cyclone hitter reaching base on an error. With the pressure on, Lead off batter Jason Angel delivers, a double that leaves pinch runner Jake Arnold in scoring position with the tieing run. Pioneer Batters Aaron Thornton and Evan Eary hit back to back, Eary scores Arnold to tie the game. The Cyclones intentionally walk batter Cody Aycock to load the bases. Brother Casey Aycock comes to the plate and hits, scoring Thornton and claiming the winning RBI. Winning Pitcher, Aycock. Final Score; Pioneers 8, Cyclones 7. Hitting for the Pioneers; Milum(HR,2x1b) Co. Aycock (2b) Thornton(3x1b) Angel(2b) Ca. Aycock(1b)

The Pioneers take the field for their final game against the Watson Chapel Wildcats. With Addison Rayford on the mound the Pioneers claim a quick run with an Eary home run. However, a Pioneer fielding error allows the Wildcats to even the score. The Pioneers regain the lead in the third inning when Eary doubles and is scored by Milum with a double of his own. Milum is relieved by Kyle McMullin who is scored by an Angel hit, leaving the Pioneers ahead 3-0. In the fifth inning the Pioneers pick up three more runs when a lead off error allows Milum to first. McMullin takes over and scores when Thornton doubles. Angel walks on and is joined by Casey Aycock with a fielders choice, leaving Thornton out at home. Rayford hits the ball, forcing an error and scoring both runners to bring the score to 6-0 Pioneers. In the top of the sixth, the Pioneers tack on three more runs, when lead off batter Davidson walks and is scored by Eary with his second home run of the game. McMullin relieves Milum at first after he walks and is eventually scored by Cody Aycock with a hit. Cody takes the mound in the seventh and quickly ends the Wildcat threat with only one runner reaching base, that on an error. Winning Pitcher Rayford. Hiotting for the Pioneers; Eary(2xhr,2b) Rayford(1b) Milum(2b) Thornton(2b) Davidson(1b) Angel(1b) Co. Aycock(1b).

The Pioneers face Conference Rivals Wynne Tuesday away. Sorry for the delay in getting the stas updated, but the Pioneer Classic was a real time killer. However, I should ahve all the pitching and batting stats up to date before the Wynne games.