Pioneers stymie Red Lions in Friday victories

April 22, 2022

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

PARAGOULD, Ark. – Crowley's Ridge Pioneer baseball hosted Continental Athletic Conference rival Lincoln Christian (Ill.) University Red Lions in the first two games of a four-game weekend series. The Pioneers escaped game one with a 4-1 victory before a big inning helped CRC to an 11-2 game two win.

Game One

Lincoln Christian – 1

Crowley's Ridge – 4

In a pitcher's duel until the bottom of the sixth inning, Crowley's Ridge (13-24, 4-2 CAC) starter Zorey Chipman and his Red Lion counterpart found themselves escaping danger often. Both Crowley's Ridge and Lincoln Christian stranded 11 runners on the bases in the seven-inning game.

The Red Lions (0-25, 0-8 CAC) score the first run of the game with back-to-back doubles with two outs in the top of the second inning.

Crowley's Ridge answered in the bottom of the fourth when Jackson Imler led off proceedings with a single up the middle. Garett Wilson would follow with a bunt single that saw a late throw sail past the first baseman to move Imler to third and Wilson to second. Intentionally walking Bobby Wright after a groundout, the Red Lion starter battled to a full count with Kole Simms. Simms claimed victory in the at-bat, wearing a fastball to drive in a run with a hit-by-pitch.

Wilson again took advantage of an LCU throwing error, turning what should have been a leadoff groundout into what was essentially a leadoff triple. After Chipper Lamb drew a walk, Wright was mere feet away from a three-run homer but had to settle for an RBI double that placed Lamb on third. Simms would then sky a sacrifice into left field to score Lamb and record his second RBI. Trey Gossett drove in the third run of the inning with a single into left field to plate Wright.

Trey Wooldridge (1-0) came on in relief of Chipman, picking up his first collegiate victory in dramatic fashion. After retiring the side in order in the top of the sixth, the Red Lions loaded the bases with two outs, sending the go-ahead run to the dish. Adonis Thomas (1) took the ball and struck out the one batter he faced to earn his first save.

Gossett was the only Pioneer with multiple hits, collecting pair of singles.

Game Two

Lincoln Christian – 2

Crowley's Ridge – 11

The Pioneers (14-24, 5-2 CAC) took advantage of a seven-run fifth inning to win the day's second game with ease. 

For the second straight game, Lincoln Christian (0-26, 0-9 CAC) struck first when three straight hits brought in the opening run in the top of the second inning. 

CRC did not allow the deficit to last long, scoring two runs in the home half of the second. Zorey Chipman led off the inning with a single up the middle. After Tanner Davis's single moved Chipman to third, it was Andrew Brown's frozen rope to first base that brought Chipman home. With Noah Overshine (courtesy running for Davis) on third, Garett Wilson launched a deep fly to left field, sacrificing his at-bat, allowing Overshine to score the second run of the inning.

After the Red Lions scored their second run in the top of the third CRC and LCU traded scoreless innings until the big bottom of the fifth.

Jackson Imler led off the inning with a double into the right-centerfield gap. Trey Gossett followed by legging out an infield single to move Imler to third, but a late throw trying to retire Gossett got away from the first baseman, allowing Imler to tap home. Davis would find a hole in right field, scoring both Chipman and Matthew Parker (pinch-running for Gossett). A balk from the Red Lion pitcher with Kenny Nelms (running for Austin Gross) on third base scored the fourth run of the inning. Chipper Lamb continued the run party, doubling to left-center to plate Overshine. Lamb would score two batters later on a Red Lion error to allow Imler to reach. Gossett connected for his second hit of the inning, this time being credited with an RBI with his single driving Bobby Wright home, ending the Pioneer onslaught with a seven-run inning to take a 9-2 lead.

After Davis drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the sixth inning, Brown's double brought home Overshine. Brown himself would be rewarded with a run when the next at-bat saw Wilson collecting a single through the left side, ending the Pioneer offensive production with an 11-2 victory.

Kaden Hargrove (1-5) earned both his first victory and his first complete game with a five-strikeout performance.

The Pioneers were teeing off on the Red Lion pitching staff combining for 16 hits, led by Chipman's 3-for-4 day from the dish. Brown, Davis, Gossett, Imler, Lamb, and Wilson each chimed in with two hits.

Up Next

Crowley's Ridge will celebrate their seniors tomorrow, April 23, before the series against Lincoln Christian wraps up with a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 p.m. Senior Day festivities are set to begin at 11:30 a.m.