Pioneers claim Sixth Pioneer Classic Championship

published Sunday, April 11, 2004

From Warm and Sunny, to cool temperatures and rain, the Pioneers played strong and allowed nothing to prevent them from claiming their sixth title in the Pioneer Classic held this weekend in Batesville. The Pioneers, last years champions, repeated their victory by defeating the Watson Chapel Wildcats, currently ranked 5th in the state, the Greene County Tech Eagles, and in the finals, the Searcy Lions, who entered the game with an 18 - 1 record. The Pioneers played well in all aspects of the game, with strong pitching and almost error free play. Their hitting was down slightly, but considering the quality of their opponents and the weather on Saturday, that could be expected. They played smart, and took advantage of every opportunity to reach base and while their victories against Watson Chapel and Searcy were close, they were still great wins for the Pioneers. The Pioneers slipped to 7th in this weeks DemGaz poll, however no mention of our wins against 6th ranked Searcy or 5th ranked Watson Chapel is made.

The Pioneers opener for the tournament pitted them against the 21-1 5A South Watson Chapel Wildcats. Coach Stu Smith choose Pioneer Jeremy Burba to take the mound against the Wildcats. And while the Wildcats managed a season high of 9 hits against Jeremy, his 6 strikeouts combined with the Pioneer defense held the Wildcats to only 6 runs. The Pioneers lose the toss and bat first, and they score quickly with a double by catcher Woody Skinner, who is relieved by courtesy runner Hunter Platt. Platt advances to third when designated hitter Brad Fletcher singles and scores on a Burba fielder's choice. The Wildcats strike back with 2 runs of their own. Singles by Derek Jones and Scott Donaldson will both become runs when Justin Moring doubles, clearing the bases. In the second, lead off Pioneer second baseman Anthony Rhodes bunts on, and is joined by right fielder Weldon Davis who reaches on a single. Both are scored by shortstop Kyle Francis who doubles, bringing the score to 3 - 3; where it will remain until the 5th inning. With 2 outs in the 5th, Pioneer 1st baseman Grant Gatlin is struck by the ball, and is joined by center fielder Patrick Smith who singles. Wildcat pitcher Adam Watson then walks Rhodes, Davis and 3rd baseman Andy Rogers, forcing in 2 runs before he is relieved by Daniel Gathright. Brad Fletcher is the first Pioneer to reach base in the 6th inning when he is struck by a pitch. Gatlin suffers the same fate and joins Fletcher on the bases. Smith walks loading the bases, and Fletcher and Gatlin score when Rhodes singles. Watson Chapel answers with 1 run when Carl Hunt singles and is scored by Zack Varnell with a triple. The final inning proves to be an exciting one with the Pioneers adding 3 runs to their tally. Consecutive hits by Francis, Skinner, Fletcher and Burba add 1 run and leave the bases loaded. Smith walks forcing in a run and the last score of the game comes when Rhodes hits scoring Fletcher. Watson Chapel gives it one last effort when Rocky Wilson reaches on a HP and is joined by Derik Jones on a single. Justin Moring hits, scoring Wilson and Jones scores on a Pioneer fielding error. The Final Score: Pioneers 10, Wildcats 6. Hitting for the Pioneers: Francis - double, single; Skinner - double, single; Fletcher - 2 singles; Burba - single; Gatlin - single; Smith - 2 singles; Rhodes - 2 singles; Davis - single. Winning Pitcher Burba pitched 7 innings allowing 6 runs on 9 hits with 6 strikeouts and 1 HP.

The Pioneers returned Saturday morning to face off against 4A East opponent Greene County Tech. Both Tech and the Pioneer fans would be treated to the first starting appearance of Sophomore pitcher Evan Eary. And Evan provided quite an outing, going the distance, allowing only 2 runs in the 3rd inning. After the 3rd, Eary completely shut down the Eagles with only 1 runner of the 13 batters he faced reaching base. Good Job, Evan! Tech's 2 runs in the third came when Tyler Pemberton singles and is scored by Brady Duncan with a long home run. The Pioneers answer in the bottom of the inning with 4 runs of their own. Designated Hitter Hunter Platt walks and is scored when Kyle Francis doubles. Francis scores on a Fletcher double. Fletcher is joined by Burba on an error and Left Fielder Grant Gatlin on an HP. Smith and Rhodes walk, bringing in Fletcher and Burba. The Pioneers add another score in the 4th when Francis walks, steals second and is scored by Skinner who singles. In the 5th, Gatlin triples and Smith picks up an rbi with a single. the 6th inning begins with another Skinner HP. He is relieved by CR Brady Yeager who is scored when Gatlin grounds out to second. Final Score: Eagles 2, Pioneers 7. Hitting for the Pioneers: Francis - double, single; Skinner - single; Fletcher - double; Burba - single; Gatlin - triple; Smith - single. Sophomore pitcher Eary picks up his first Pioneer Win.

Saturday evening finds the Pioneers taking the field in the Championship game; their opponent the 18-1 Searcy Lions. The Lions had defeated the #2 rated Springdale Bulldogs and White Hall in the other half of the bracket to face the Pioneers. The weather is cool and damp. Pioneer Grant Gatlin takes the mound and retires the side with only a single by Lion Robbie Hohler. The Pioneers strike quickly with lead off batter Kyle Francis adding his 3rd double of the series (Kyle led the Pioneers in batting going 6 for 11 in the series). Fletcher singles and steals second. Burba singles, scoring Francis. Gatlin drives in Fletcher with a fielders choice scoring what would eventually prove to be the winning run in the bottom of the 1st inning. In the 3rd Gatlin gives up his only run of the game when Hohler scores after singling, stealing and being advanced and scored by Matt Dillon on a safe hit. Although the scoreboard reflects the final score at this point the tension only increased as the game progressed. A slight mist had turned into light rain and was continuing to pick up. In the 4th Gatlin struck out the side. Pioneers Gatlin and Burba singled but were left stranded. In the 5th Francis singles but is again left on. In the 6th after walking the lead off batter pitcher Gatlin is relieved by Kyle Altom, Lion batter Adam Robertson sac bunts on to put the tying run at 2nd, but Altom dispatches the next two Lion batters to the dugout to end the threat. In the top of the 7th with a nice, gentle blowing rain, Altom sits them down in order with 3 more "K"'s to his credit to end the game and claim the championship trophy for the second straight year. Batting for the Pioneers: Francis - double, single; Fletcher - single; Burba - 2 singles; Gatlin - single;. Winning Pitcher Gatlin pitched 5 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits with 6 strikeouts, 3 walks and 1 HP. Reliever Kyle Altom pitched 2 innings allowing 0 runs on 0 hits with 4 strikeouts.

The Pioneers return to conference play on Tuesday when they host the Greene County Tech Eagles at 4:00 PM.