Lady Pioneers Increase Win Streak to Five

Lady Pioneers Increase Win Streak to Four.- Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 3-10-23 *photo by Autumn Winston Burk*

The Lady Pioneers took on the Royals of Ecclesia College today in a doubleheader matchup in Springdale, Ark. Crowley's Ridge came to play as they soundly defeated Ecclesia in both matchups increasing their win streak to 4. 

Game One: 

Crowley's Ridge: 9

Ecclesia College: 1

Springdale Ark.- The Pioneers were firing on all cylinders in game one. The offense was putting on runners and moving them around while defensively the Pioneers were shutting down everything the Royals threw at them. Shelby Elrod got the start and windmilled 7 bold innings allowing just 1 run on 5 scattered hits while striking out 9. The Pioneers got things going in the second with Elrod using her bat grounding out but scoring the game's first run. CRC added to their lead two innings later as Dru Bryant took advantage of a Royals error to cross home plate, and Autumn Maxwell hitting into a fielder's choice that scored the third Pioneer run. CRC took its demanding lead of the game in the 5th as they summoned 4 runs from the swings of Bailey Cupples, Piper Farmer, and Maddie Reed.  The Lady Pioneers' final two runs came from big hacks with Kourtni Jagneaux and Bailey Cupples each hitting a long ball to center field in the 6th and 7th innings. The Pioneers win game one, 9-1.

Leaders: Hitting

The Pioneers scored 9 runs on 12 hits. 4 Pioneers ended the game with multiple hits.

Jagneaux led going 4-4 (HR, RBI), Bryant (2-4), Farmer (2-3, RBI), and Cupples (2-3)(HR, 2RBI)

Pitching:

Elrod: 7.0inns., 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO.

Game Two:

Crowley's Ridge- 9

Ecclesia College- 2

Springdale, Ark.- Crowley's Ridge asserted their dominance once more over Ecclesia College as they soared to a 9-2 win in game two. Halea Wells took the circle, and like Elrod in game one,  the Pioneer went the distance. Wells tossed 7 innings while allowing 6 hits, 2 runs, and striking out two Royals along the way. The Pioneers and Royals both scored in the first inning of the game with Ecclesia landing on top 2-1. Though this looked promising for the Royals, the Pioneer defense would hold them scoreless for the remainder of the game while CRC's offense racked up 8 more support runs. CRC took the lead in the 3rd inning for good with four runs crossing the plate. Dru Bryant drew a walk that scored one, and Hannah Burk put the ball in play grounding out but scoring the second run. Brooklyn Melson ripped a single that scored the third Pioneer leaving Autum Maxwell to collect her second fielder's choice of the day that scored a run. Now leading 5-2 and with Wells making quick work of the Royals hitters the Pioneers added more insurance runs the following inning. In the top of the 4th, Brooklyn Melson, Maxwell, and Bailey Cupples all singled to increase the lead to what would become the final score of the game. The Pioneers win game two, 9-2. 

Leaders: Hitting

The Pioneers scored 9 runs on 13 hits, three Lady Pioneers ended with a multi-hit game. 

Elrod led going (4-5)(3 R, 2B), Melson (3-5) (2 RBI, 1R), Reed (2-4)(1 R, 2 SB).

Pitching:

Wells: 7.0inns., 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 SO.