Pioneers Fall to the Trojans in Two Games

PARAGOULD, Ark. - The hosting Pioneers (1-1) and the Trojans (3-2) hoped to continue yesterday's trend of picking up at least one game of the doubleheader. However, strong hitting by HLGU and untimely fielding gaffes sank the Pioneers' hopes.

GAME 1

HLGU - 11

CRC - 3

The Pioneers (1-2) were able to strike first after Luke Helm singled home Peyton Maddox with two outs. The second inning was as uneventful as it gets - six batters up and six batters down. Barden Lawson got on base for the Trojans before a fielding error on a subsequent play brought him around to score.

But it was the sixth inning the nailed the coffin. The Trojans (5-3) scored six runs on just two hits thanks to costly errors and good Trojan baserunning.

CRC made things interesting in the bottom of the seventh inning by getting two pinch hittings to come around and score, before a pair of strikeouts sealed the deal.

GAME 2

HLGU - 12

CRC - 4

HLGU jumped out to an early lead after a two-out single found eyes through the infield and scored two Trojans. Not easily deterred, Luke Helm calmly stepped to the played and singled Nate Finney home to cut into the Trojan lead.

Finney wasn't finished putting his name on the scorecard. With two out, the senior hit a laser past the outstretched glove of the Trojan shortstop bringing two of his Pioneer teammates across to score.

Then the pitching staff ran into a wall after three consecutive hit batters allowed two runners to score. The Trojans (6-3) would go on and score two runs in each inning except in the 2nd, while the Pioneer (1-3) bats fell silent.

COMING UP

They say "diamonds are a girl's best friend." That mantra will be put to the test this Valentine's Day as Pioneer field not only hosts Cupid, but the Royals of Ecclesia College for a four-game series spread over Friday (2/14) and Saturday (2/15). Teams will take the field on the Ridge at noon on both Friday and Saturday to kick off the day's doubleheader.

Dustin Semore, Broadcasting Director