Pioneers Bash Badgers

End Conference Play in 2nd Place

Carl's Scorecard - Beebe Game #1

Carl's Scorecard - Beebe Game #2

published Friday, Apr. 27, 2007

The Pioneers added two crucial conference wins Tuesday night with their sweep of the Beebe Badgers. They achieved this with dominating performances from pitchers Cody Aycock and Steven Cesarski. They allowed the Badgers no runs and only one hit each. The Pioneers defended the field nearly perfectly with only one error in both games. While the first game would be a squeaker, the night cap turned into a blowout against the demoralized Badgers.

In the opener, pitcher Cody Aycock pitched a near perfect game with only 1 walk in the fourth until with two out and two strikes in the top of the seventh, he allowed his first and only hit of the game, a Texas leaguer to center field. The first game was one of the quickest I recall at only an hour and a half. Cody was mowing them down quickly in the top of the innings and the Badger pitcher was doing a good job of controlling the Pioneers at the plate. Aycock lead the Pioneer offense as well as defense by leading off the game with a double. Jake Arnold advanced him to third on a fly out and Aaron Thornton gets the first rbi of the game with a ground ball. The pitching duel continued with neither team able to score and the Pioneers only managing two additional hits, singles by Trent Weeks and Nick Palese in the second and fourth. In the sixth, lead off batter Arnold singles and is scored by Steven Cesarski* who doubles. The game ends 2-0 Pioneers. Winning Pitcher Aycock goes the distance with 1 hit, 1 walk and 9 strikeouts. Batting for the Pioneers: Aycock - 2b; Weeks - 1b; N. Palese - 1b; Arnold - 1b; Cesarski* - 2b.

In the Nightcap Cesarski* continued to dominate the Badgers from the mound also allowing only 1 hit with no walks. The Badgers weren't so lucky and the Pioneers brought out the lumber and began to hit. In the second the Pioneers batted around with Cesarski* batting first and last. Nick Palese is the first Pioneer to reach base with a hit and is joined by Kyle Kallsnick who doubles on. Weeks hits safely scoring both runners and advancing to third when the Badger right fielder makes an error on the play. Ross Simpson w walks on and both score when Thornton picks up the last hit of the inning. The Pioneers looked like they would add a few runs in the fourth when Aycock hit what appeared to be a triple, but he was called out for missing first base instead. From the box, it appeared to me that his base running was perfectly executed with his foot clearly touching the inside corner of the bag. While there are few plays I think I have the best angle on that is one of them and in my opinion Cody got hosed on that call. With two ours Arnold doubles and Thornton is hit by a pitch, but both are left stranded. At this point the Badger coach makes an amazing six man substitution, bringing in sophomores and freshmen to play in the field. It shows when the Pioneer lead off batter, Nick Palese doubles and is joined by Kallsnick on an error. Palese is scored by his brother Jake who hits safely. The Pioneers squeeze Kallsnick in when Simpson bunts on. The bases are loaded when the shaken Badger pitcher walks Aycock. Arnold hits to center field and when the fielder misplays the ball the Pioneers score the three runs required to end the game 10-0. Pitcher Cesarski* allows only one hit and picks up six strikeouts. Batting for the Pioneers: N. Palese - 2b, 1b; Kallsnick - 2b, 1b; Weeks - 1b; Aycock - 1b; Thornton - 1b; Arnold - 2b, 1b; J. Palese - 1b.

* Cesarski has so many nicknames it is beyond belief. I've heard there are those attempting to compile an accurate list and it now stands at around 70. Hail Cesarski!

Hold the Rope! Carl.