Pioneer Baseball Splits On Senior Day

Pioneer Baseball Splits On Senior Day- Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 4-23-23

As CRC battled off a curve ball from mother nature and had to rearrange a few things for their big weekend, the Pioneers were finally able to work in a doubleheader contest yesterday against the Buffaloes of Arkansas Baptist. CRC dropped game one but sent their seniors off with a bang with a game two blowout win in their final game at Pioneer Park of the 2023 season.

Game One:

Crowley's Ridge- 4

Arkansas Baptist- 7

Paragould, Ark.- Like so many times throughout the 2023 season, the Pioneers Skipper Brenden Camp looked to his senior ace, Corby Seib, to lead the defense in game one of the series. Seib climbed the molehill at Pioneer Park one last time and in the words of Shakespeare, "Once more unto the breach dear friends, once more..", Seib challenged his teammates to rally around him as he led the charge into the fray. Seib delivered 6.2 innings of work allowing 7 runs (3 earned), on 12 hits while striking out 6 Buffaloes before Head Coach Brenden Camp called time allowing Seib to receive the honorable and well-deserved round of applause as he exited his final start at home. The Pioneers' offense was led by senior Trey Gossett as the Piggott, Ark. native mashed out 2 hits in the contest and drew one walk. Sophomore Adonis Thomas also had a big day at the plate in game one as he got the Pioneers on the board in the bottom of the first with a single to leftfield scoring pinch runner senior Alex Carter from third. Arkansas Baptist didn't plan to roll over and give up without a fight for in the top of the third the Buffaolos broke the egg on the scoreboard with 4 runs taking the lead from CRC. The Pioneers mustered 3 runs over the next two innings to tie the game with senior Vancell Lucas opening the bottom half of the 4th  with a double to right center allowing senior Nick Garrett to lay down the sac, giving himself up but putting Lucas 90 feet from home. Senior Chipper Lamb hit a hot shot to the Buffaloe shortstop which proved to be too much to handle and with a little help, Lamb beat the throw to first and scored Lucas. CRC's next two runs came from the bats of freshmen James Wilson and sophomore Matt Parker as they each hit a sac fly to left field scoring 2 for the Pioneers and tying the game at 4. It would seem that the tide was in favor of CRC but a 3-run 6th inning from the Buffaloes pulled the wind from the Pioneer sails. Trey Gossett came into relief for Seib in the top of the 7th collecting his pitching debut and the final out of the inning but the Pioneers wouldn't produce another run ultimately falling 7-4. 

Leaders: Hitting

The Pioneers scored 4 runs on 7 hits. 

Gossett (2-3)(2B)(BB), Thomas (2-3)(RBI)(BB), Lucas (1-3)(2B), Lamb (1-3)(BB), Beal (1-4)

Pitching:

Seib: 6.2 innings, 12 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO

Game Two:

Crowley's Ridge- 14

Arkansas Baptist- 7

Paragould, Ark.- Crowley's Ridge took a different route in game two as senior Bo Hale, a relief pitcher, toed the rubber for the Pioneers to start the game. Hale performed beautifully as he chucked 6.1 innings allowing 7 runs on 7 hits before freshmen Mike Sharp came in to close the door in the 14-7 victory, sending the 2023 seniors off with one last home win. The Buffaloes did manage to outhit CRC as Arkansas Baptist scored their 7 runs off 7 hits but where the visiting team did the most damage to the scoreboard was by smashing three long balls in the contest. CRC rallied a 9-run inning early on that allowed them to take the lead for good. The Buffaloes struck first blood as they took a 2-0 lead with their first homer of the game with a  2-run shot to left field, but senior Phoenix Beal didn't allow them to celebrate for long as Beal crushed a Pioneer solo shot homer down the left field line in the bottom half of the first, cutting the Buffalo lead to one. The Pioneers built off Beal's momentum and manufactured their big inning in the bottom of the second where CRC pushed 9 runs across. Corby Seib and Vancell Lucas drew walks kicking things off, allowing seniors Nick Garrett and Garett Wilson to single and drive in one run each retaking the lead 3-2 over ABC. CRC's next run came from Beal taking an HBP with the bases juiced scoring Garrett from third. Trey Gossett followed up Beal's RBI with a sac fly to left field letting Garett Wilson show his speed on the tag up at third. The Pioneers hit around as Seib drew his second walk of the inning and as the bases were loaded the senior claimed the free base and RBI. The last three Pioneer runs of the inning came off Buffaloe errors which the Pioneers capitalized on, capping their 9-run inning. The Buffaloes mustered one run in the top of the third with their second long ball of the contest, but CRC tacked on 5 more runs with Seib scoring on a wild pitch in the 4th and Sophomores Adonis Thomas and Josh Schmitt and Junior Blake Wilson taking credit for runs in the 5th. Arkansas Baptist produced their third homer of the game in the top of the 7th but it would be enough to shake the Pioneers. CRC would go on and take game two with a final score of 14-7. 

Leaders: Hitting

CRC produced 14 runs on 6 hits. 

Beal (2-3)(2RBI)(2B)(HR), Gossett (1-3)(RBI), Garrett (1-1)(RBI), Schmitt (1-1)(RBI), G. Wilson (1-3)(RBI)

Pitching:

Hale: 6.1 innings, 7 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 9 BB, 4 SO, 3 HR

Thank you 2023 seniors, it truly has been an honor to be your Sports Information Director. Pioneer Athletics wishes you all the best of luck in this next chapter of life and may you always remember, #GOPIONEERS.