Pioneers Chop On Day Two

Pioneers Chop On Day Two-Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 4-8-23

Game One:

Crowley's Ridge- 4

Iowa Wesleyan- 8

Paragould, Ark.- Pioneer Baseball looked to bounce back in today's double-header matchup against the Tigers of Iowa Wesleyan after a series-opening defeat yesterday afternoon. The Tigers proved to be challenging as they opened day two by scoring 6 runs in the first two innings of the game, taking a 6-0 lead. Iowa Wesleyan would score again in the 4th before CRC had an answer for the Tiger offense. CRC tethered all their runs in the contest in the bottom of the 6th where the Pioneers gave themselves a second chance by bringing 4 runners across the plate. Trey Drake initiated the big inning by beating out a bunt to the first baseman with a diving effort to avoid the tag. Chipper Lamb and Trey Gossett reached base courtesy of the Tigers' pitching staff as they hit Lamb with a pitch and whirled 4 balls walking Gossett and loading the bases. Adonis Thomas stepped to the box and the right-hand hitter delivered a shot to the gap in right-center that scored Drake and Lamb and placed himself on 2nd base with a 2 RBI double. The Pioneers got their third run across with Gossett showing his speed and stealing home on a wild pitch allowing Matt Parker to ground out to second, but score Thomas who moved up 90 feet away from the plate when Gossett scored. The Tigers got out of the inning still maintaining the lead and controlled it for the remainder of the contest. Phoenix Beal entered the game as a Pinch Hitter in the bottom of the 7th and rallied a glint of hope as he won a 16-pitch at-bat with a walk but ultimately was left stranded in the 8-4 loss. 

Chance Arender toed the rubber in the contest for the Pioneers and went a respectable 5.0 innings before being relieved by Nick Garrett. The south-paw finished the game as he came in and tossed the remaining 2.0 innings allowing 1 run on 3 hits.

Leaders: Hitting

The Pioneers scored 4 runs on 4 hits Drake, Thomas (2B)(2RBI), Gossett, and Lindgren all collected one hit in the contest.

Pitching:

Arender: 5.0 innings, 6 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO

Garrett: 2.0 Innings, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO

Game Two:

Crowley's Ridge- 10

Iowa Wesleyan- 6

Paragould, Ark.- Now after dropping two games the Pioneers needed to win the third and final matchup of the weekend or face being swept at home by a conference opponent. The Pioneers looked to Adonis Thomas to lead them in the last fray, and Thomas delivered for the Pioneers as he went the distance heaving all 7 innings. The Pioneer bats rallied and produced 10 runs on 13 hits surpassing their hit effort for games one and two combined. CRC took advantage of the Tigers' starting pitcher who struggled to find the zone by getting 3 runners across the plate on wild pitches, and Blake Wilson used his bat to drive in the 4th run with a single to shortstop. IWU didn't allow the Pioneers to get comfortable as they cut the Pioneer lead in half the next inning by scoring two runs. Both defenses solidified as the game held solid over the next 18 outs. The icebreaker CRC needed to escape the stalemate came from Freshmen James Wilson. Wilson connected with the pitch and doubled to right center knocking in Gossett and Parker giving CRC a 4-run lead once more. With the end in sight and the Pioneer 6 outs away from a win the Tigers stood tall by challenging the Pioneers' durability. In the top of the 6th with two outs, the Tigers produced 4 runs on 5 hits tying the game at 6-6. With being swept at home on the line CRC didn't seem even to sweat it as they loaded the bases the following inning and retook the lead. Senior Trey Gosset came through in the crucial moment driving 2 runners home with a single to left field breaking the tie. The Pioneers added two more cushion runs as Drake stole home on a passed ball and James Wilson collected his third RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly to center field. Thomas took the mound and shut the door claiming the win as Garett Wilson caught the final Tiger out in the center field. 

Leaders: Hitting

Drake led going (3-4), Gossett (2-4)(2RBI), Ja. Wilson (1-3)(3RBI)(2B)

Pitching:

Thomas: 7.0 innings, 12 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 1 SO