Thomas' Bat Guarantees Conference Sweep Over Arkansas Baptist

Thomas' Bat Guarantees Conference Sweep Over Arkansas Baptist- Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 4/6/24

CRC baseball picked up two big conference wins at home this afternoon against CAC opponent Arkansas Baptist, snapping their losing streak and improving the Pioneers to (2-4) overall in conference play. 

Game One:

Crowley's Ridge-6

Arkansas Baptist- 4

Paragould Ark.- RHP Jack Roney picked up his second win of the year leading the charge into the fray in this afternoon's opening contest. The South Fulton, TN native stood tall on the mound for 5.1 innings allowing seven hits while surrendering four runs (two earned) while walking three and retiring five with strikeouts. The visiting Buffaloes matched CRC's total hits of seven but the Pioneers were more efficient by scoring six runs off the seven base knocks compared to ABC's four. CRC crossed three runs in the bottom of the first with clean-up hitter Adonis Thomas fulfilling his role as the right-handed hitter went the opposite way with an RBI single to right field to give CRC the lead. Matthew Parker, who led the Pioneers in RBIs this game, followed Thomas' lead by sending a blast down the left field line, scoring CRC's other two runs in the opening inning. Thomas struck again in the third frame for CRC as the junior collected his second base hit which scored Andrew Brown for his second RBI of the day. In the fourth inning, CRC would meet friction from the visiting team as the Buffaloes pushed two runs across but with Brylan Honeycutt's base-running IQ, CRC countered with their fifth run of the game as the freshman reached home off a throwing error enticed by Honeycutt. A critical fifth-inning error by CRC scared Pioneer fans as Arkansas Baptist cut the lead to one by scoring two off the mishap, but CRC didn't snowball and ended the inning maintaining their lead. Matthew Parker brought in CRC's final run with his sacrifice fly-out in the bottom of the fifth giving cushion for CRC's bullpen. RHP Thomas Lamb relieved Roney in the sixth after Roney found himself with two runners on and only one out. Lamb exited the inning after just three pitches, getting CRC out of the jam with no damage taken. The sophomore slammed the door for CRC by tossing the final full inning allowing nothing and striking out one to earn the save. Adonis Thomas led the Pioneers in the opening game going (3-4) with two RBIs. Matthew Parker finished the contest (1-3) with three RBIs in the win. 

Game Two: 

Crowley's Ridge- 8

Arkansas Baptist- 3

Paragould, Ark.- In the second contest, the Pioneers and the Buffaloes remained scoreless for the first three innings of the game. Crowley's Ridge threatened to take the lead several times as the Pioneers had four different runners in scoring position and even loaded the bases in the bottom of the third with one out, but with CRC unable to reach the final ninety feet home, ABC would be the team to strike first. Dramatically, ABC took a two-run lead over CRC with two solo homers in the top of the fourth and maintained the high ground until the Pioneers summoned a big fifth-inning offensive ambush, to come from behind and seize the win from the Buffaloes. In the game-altering inning, CRC scored six runs off three hits with the biggest blow to the Buffaloes coming from the bat of Adonis Thomas as the junior laced a bases-clearing, three RBI double to left center. Crowley's Ridge added two more runs in the next inning as Adonis Thomas added to his day at the plate by leading off the bottom of the six with a solo homer. Kyle Russell claimed CRC's eighth and final run of the game with an RBI double a few batters later.  Chance Arender earned the win for CRC going the distance, allowing just three runs (two earned) off four hits while walking three and collecting nine punchouts. CRC scored eight runs on eight hits with Adonis Thomas leading CRC for the second game in a row going (2-4) with a double, homerun, and four RBIs. Andrew Brown was the other Pioneer with two hits as the senior went (2-3) with one RBI.

Up Next: CRC will travel to Laurel, MS to take on Southeastern Baptist College in a three-game series next Friday and Saturday, April 12th and 13th. #GOPIONEERS