Tough Loss Sends Pioneers to Loser's Bracket

Tough Loss Sends Pioneers to Loser's Bracket- Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 5/2/24

The Lady Pioneers were slotted for an opening round rematch from last season as the #3-seeded Lady Pioneers took on the #2-seeded Lady Conquistadors of Florida National Univesity. In last season's matchup, CRC found themselves victorious over FNU with a score of 5-1 but mournfully this season would have a different turn of events with the Lady Conquistadors outlasting a last-ditch-offensive wave from the Lady Pioneers, claiming the contest 4-3 and sending CRC to the loser's bracket. 

Lawrenceville, GA- The Lady Conquistadors' offense scored four runs off eight base-knocks with half of them being critical big-time extra-base hits. FNU opened the scoring in the first inning with an RBI double over the head of centerfielder Dru Bryant and then added to their lead with the opposing team scoring two more runs off an inside-the-park home run in the third. Trailing 3-0, the Pioneers rallied back in the top of the fourth as starting pitcher Shelby Elrod singled, collecting CRC's first hit of the game and putting CRC's first baserunner on the base paths. Senior Hannah Burk answered the call for the Pioneers as the Kennett, MO native scored Elrod just a few swings later with an RBI single giving kudos to seniors Maddie Reed and Piper Farmer who moved Elrod up the the bases with a sacrifice bunt and groundout. Immediately, the Conquistadors replied by erasing the Pioneers' progress, adding the game-deciding fourth run to their total off a double to right-center in the bottom frame of the same inning. Over the next two innings, the game would take a quiet spin until the Pioneers faced desperation in the top of the seventh, staring down their final three outs. Digging deep, the Pioneers sent junior pinch-hitter Ashton Drake to the plate to lead off the inning and after falling behind, Drake battled back to draw the walk and claim the free base. Quicker-footed junior Bailey Cupples reentered the game and in perfect sequence, Cupples scored from first as Junior Brooklyn Melson doubled to left center one out and one batter later. After the score, both teams would make lineup adjustments including a late-game pitching change from the Lady Conquistadors. When play resumed, FNU's bullpen would get the best of junior pinch-hitter Jocelyn Villarreal, forcing CRC down to their final out. Trying to rally the troops, Melson snatched third base off a passed ball, getting the much-desired run 60 feet close to home which senior Dru Bryant obliged by bringing Melson across the final stretch as the Purcell, OK native singled to the right side of the field, cutting FNU's lead to one. With two outs and the odds against them, the Pioneers' thriving rally came to an end after Shelby Elrod was called out after a bang-bang play at first, concluding the contest with the lead still in favor of FNU. 

The Pioneers scattered six hits on which they scored three runs. Brooklyn Melson led the offense going (2-3) with a double and RBI. Hannah Burk and Dru Bryant also each added to the cause going (1-3) with an RBI in the loss. Shelby Elrod took the loss for the Pioneers dropping to 12-6 on the year, surrendering four runs off eight hits while striking out two. With Elrod's two K's, she has officially passed CRC's current single-season strikeout record of (95 K's) which the Ballard County, KY native set last season. 

Up Next: The Lady Pioneers are down but not out for the count as they will take on #4-seeded Talladega College tomorrow at 1:30 PM CDT in the loser's bracket. The winner will stay alive to play the loser between #1-seeded Georgia Gwinnett College and #2-seeded Florida National University. #GOPIONEERS