Pioneers defeat Rams

A few more Runs and a few less Errors

published Friday, April 15, 2005

The Pioneers made up a weather postponed conference game with the Paragould Rams at home last night. It was not the Pioneers best performance of the year, with more errors committed than in any other game. However, the Rams also appeared to be struggling defensively and essentially "outerrored" the Pioneers to lose the game. Late breaking news is that Marion has swept Nettleton. If we can just play well against Tech and Beebe the 4A East Conference Championship should be a wrap. Wynne still has to play Nettleton and Marion so Wynne defeats in either series could help secure a Championship repeat.

Pioneer pitcher Nick Davidson took the mound and with a 2-2 count a routine fly ball to the outfield becomes the first Pioneer error of the game. Following up with 3 base hits the Rams score 3 runs. Davidson does strike out the last 2 batters to end the first inning Ram threat. The Pioneer lead off batter Hunter Platt doubles and is joined by Davidson on the first of 2 Ram errors in the inning. Eary advances on a fielders choice and Milum singles scoring Platt and Davidson. Clint Walls gains an RBI with a Sac fly and Jason Angel picks up his first of 3 hits in the game scoring Kyle McMullin running for Milum to bring the score to 4-3 Batesville. The game is scoreless in the second inning but in the top of the third the Rams appear to be near to adding runs with runners at the corners after an HP and a base hit. When a ground ball is hit to third baseman Jeff Whitener, he relays it to the Casey Aycock at second for the force there. The Ram runner at third breaks for home at Aycock relays the ball to catcher Chris Milum to pick up the double play and end the Ram threat. In the bottom of the fourth inning the Pioneers add a run when Jason Angel leads off with a double. He is releived by courtesy runner Travis Garner and Garner scores when Aycock grounds out to bring the score to 5-3 Pioneers. The Pioneers turn another double play in the top of the fifth after the first batter is hit by a pitch the second again hits to third base for the classic 5-4-3 double play. The sixth inning was ugly for both teams. Errors are scattered everywhere with 9 runs scored but only a few earned. The Rams lead off with a hit and pick up their first run when the second Ram batter advances on an error. Davidson is relieved by Addison Rayford with one runner on and strikes out the first Ram batter he faces, but the next batter again reaches on a Pioneer error which scores the Ram base runner. Two Ram hits with score 2 more runners to put the Rams in the lead 7-5. The Pioneers strike back with a lead off single by Angel. He is relieved by McMullin at first. Rayford reaches on a Ram error and McMullin scores when davis lays down the squeeze bunt and reaches safely. Rayford who began the play at first also scores on Ram Errors. With Davis at first, Aycock lays down what appeared to be a Sac Bunt, but again with the add of poor Ram fielding, Aycock is safe at second and Davis scores. Platt singles to advance Aycock to third, Platt and Aycock both anvance on stolen bases and Platt is scored by Evan Eary with a sac fly to bring the very confusing and painful to watch inning to it's conclusion with the Pioneers in the lead 10-5. While the Pioneers did add an error to their total in the top of the seventh Rayford managed to close the inning and the game for a Pioneer win.

Leading the offense for the Pioneers was Jason Angel who went 3 for 3 with a double and 2 singles and Hunter Platt who doubled and singled. The Pioneers are scheduled to play the undefeated Newport Greyhounds at home on Monday and go on the road to GCT Tuesday.