Baseball Claims Series Opener

Baseball Claims Series Opener- Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 3/13/26

Game One:

Crowley's Ridge- 13

Harris-Stowe- 11

St. Louis. MO- In the opening American Midwest Confercne matchup of the Pioneers and Hornets, fans would get a slugfest with each team bashing out 16 hits. Still, luckily for Pioneer fans, CRC would edge past HSSU by two runs in the series opener. Reece Bariola and Crafton Beeler ignited the Pioneers' bats with Bariola opening the scoring with his fifth home run of the year, a solo shot to right field in the top of the first, and Sophomore Crafton Beeler launching a pinch hit grand slam to right field in the second. Before long, CRC looked down at a 9-2 lead over the Hornets, but with a resilient swarm, HSSU slowly chipped back into the game, forcing the Pioneers to stare down a tie ball game at 10-all heading into the top of the 7th. Smoothly, the Pioneers stayed calm, cool, and collected, scoring 3 runs off 4 hits with Landen Kizer driving in Lawson DeVault and Parker Gordon driving in Kolby Webb and Aiden Armstrong to regain the lead. Freshman flame thrower Brennon Burch ensured the win for the Pioneers, coming in relief and striking out the final Hornet to shut the door and earn the save. 

Crafton Beeler led the offense with 4 RBIs off his long ball, going 1-1. Parker Gordan matched Beeler's RBI total with Gordon going 3-4 with 4 RBIs in the win. Catcher Landen Kizer led the team in hits, going 4-4 with a walk and RBI. Lastly, JP Wills finished the game with a 2-3 day with a walk. Aydan Trenchard took the win on the mound, allowing 2 hits, 1 run, and 1 strikeout.

Game Two: (Still Underway)

Crowley's Ridge: 14

Harris Stowe- 13 

Due to darkness, the second contest will be completed tomorrow before the final match-up of the AMC series. CRC will take the field with a one-run lead, bases loaded, and two outs in the top of the 9th. 

#GOPIONEERS