Pioneers Claim Game Four On Opening Weekend

Pioneers Claim Game Four On Opening Weekend- Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 2-10-24

Game three:

(8 innings)

Crowley's Ridge- 8

Champion Christian- 9

Hot Springs, Ark.- Game three was a thrilling contest as the Pioneers almost pulled off the series split between Champion Christian College by narrowly falling in the third contest by one run in extra innings. CRC would outhit the Tigers by collecting 12 hits in the contest compared to the host's 11. The Pioneers scored the first three runs before the Tigers found one themselves as sophomore James Wilson got the Pioneers going in the top of the first with a 2RBI single which freshman Brylan Honeycutt followed in the second inning with his RBI single, driving in sophomore Trey Drake making it a 3-0 Pioneer lead. Champion Christian then pushed 4 runs across starting pitcher freshman Parker Gordan in the bottom half of the second before CRC could get out of the jam. Honeycutt would come through again for CRC, this time it would be in the fourth with a smashed single to the left side of the infield, bringing in senior Blake Wilson to tie the contest. Senior Andrew Brown tipped the scale in CRC's favor later that same inning as the lefty clobbered a two-run shot to right field but the Pioneer's lead would be short-lived as CCC posted three runs in the bottom half of the fourth to retake the lead, 7-6. Crowley's Ridge made things even again the next half inning as James Wilson doubled to start the inning, allowing sophomore Kade Lindgren to lay down the sac bunt and move senior pinch runner Kenny Nelms up to third. This set up junior Kyle Russell to deliver the ground ball to second, driving in Nelms. For the remaining two innings of regulation, the score stayed at a standstill until the top of the 8th when Trey Drake led off with a big-time double to left field and took advantage of a passed ball from the Tigers to advance to third. Now 90 feet away from home, Andrew Brown gave CRC the lead with a sac fly to center field, scoring Drake. Being just three outs away from their first season win, CRC collected two of them before a mishandled flyball allowed two Tiger baserunners to reach the plate and end the game. 

Freshman Gordan took the loss tossing 5.0 innings, surrendering 7 runs on 11 hits while striking out 1 and walking 1. Four Pioneers ended with multiple hits, Brown (2-3) HR, 3RBI, BB, 2R. Ja. Wilson (2-4) 2B, 2RBI. Drake (2-4) 2B, 2R. Honeycutt (2-5) 2RBI, 1R. 

Game Two:

(6 innings)

Crowley's Ridge- 5

Champion Christian- 0

Hot Springs, Ark.- The Pioneers saved their best for last as the team rallied behind starting pitcher, senior Andrew Brown, and claimed the final game of the series with a shutout victory. Brown threw 5 shutout innings where the southpaw allowed only 4 hits before being relieved in the final inning by junior teammate Cannon Baker who struck out two Tigers in his one inning of work. Senior Eli Milam used his swing to give CRC the lead in the top of the second after a botched play by the Tigers allowed the Pioneers to score one. CRC led with this one run for almost three innings until junior Adonis Thomas singled to bring 'round one Pioneer in which sophomore John Wilson doubled two hitters later to score two more. Junior JackHenry Glasgow took credit for the final CRC run with his 6th inning 1-out double, scoring senior Kenny Nelms. 

CRC amassed 10 hits in the game with junior Kyle Russell leading the charge going (3-3) out of the 7 slot in the lineup. Adonis Thomas ((2-4) RBI) and JackHenry Glasgow ((2-4), 2B RBI) also added two hits each in the win. Lastly, DH John Wilson led the team in RBIs with his (1-4) 2B, 2RBI day. 

Up Next: Baseball will host Ohio Christian in their home opener on Friday, February 16 for a three-game series. #GOPIONEERS