Wessel Sets Home Run Record in Pioneers’ Win Over Dragons

Wessel Sets Home Run Record in Pioneers' Win Over Dragons- Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 3/31/26

Game One: 

Crowley's Ridge- 9

Lane College- 7

Paragould, AR- In this afternoon's opening game of a non-conference doubleheader against NCAA Division II Lane College, senior Lilly Wessel reached a program milestone, setting a new single-season home run record with seven. Wessel powered the Pioneers to a 9–7 victory with a two-home-run, six-RBI performance in the opening contest.

Wessel delivered in clutch moments, giving the Pioneers a 4–2 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning with her first home run. She struck again in the sixth, launching a bases-loaded homer to extend CRC's lead to 9–2—their largest of the game.

The Pioneers totaled 9 runs on 10 hits, with Wessel and Hailey Tarrants leading the offense with two hits apiece. Sophomore Aimee Buckley earned the win, allowing seven runs (two earned) on seven hits while recording five strikeouts over 7.0 innings.

Game Two:

Crowley's Ridge- 0

Lane College- 7

Paragould, AR- Lane College jumped ahead early in game two with two runs in the first before breaking the game open with a four-run third. The Dragons added one more in the sixth and never looked back, holding the Pioneers scoreless in the contest. 

The Pioneers were limited to just two hits, with junior Jada Diaz and senior Lilly Wessel accounting for both. Diaz also swiped two bases, but the Pioneers couldn't generate any scoring momentum as they left 5 runners marooned on the base paths. Freshman Lauren Jones suffered the loss for the Pioneers, allowing six runs (four earned) off six hits with two strikeouts in 4.0 innings. 

Up Next: The Pioneers will have a few days' break before returning to the diamond next Monday, April 6th, with a non-conference doubleheader against Freed-Hardeman University at Pioneer Park. #GOPIONEERS

Photo Credit: Paige Glenn