Wills Sets Single-Season Homerun Record as Pioneers Win Two in Little Rock

Wills Sets Single-Season Homerun Record as Pioneers Win Two in Little Rock -Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 3/17/26

Junior JP Wills raised the bar for the program with the junior passing Bobby Wright (2018-2022) to stand on top for the single-season home run record with his 7th homer of the year. Today's sweep over Philander Smith brings the Pioneers above .500 on the year, improving them to 14-13-1. 

Game One:

Crowley's Ridge- 22

Philander Smith- 4

Little Rock, AR- Pioneer Baseball's offensive power continued in the opening game against Philander Smith University as the Pioneers took the contest by a blowout win of 22-4. The team manufactured 17 hits with 9 extra base hits to drive in all 22 runs in the matchup. Offensive leaders were senior James Wilson, who was 2-3 with 2 doubles and 7 RBI, and sophomore Reece Bariola, who went 2-3 with a double, a homerun, and 5 RBI. Bariola's longball is his 6th of the year, which ties Bobby Wright (2018-2022) for second all-time in a single season. Junior Parker Gordon also put together a solid afternoon, going 2-4 with a double and 3 RBI. Lastly, Landen Kizer paced the team in hits, going 4-4 with a walk and 2 runs scored. Kamron Isbell earned the win coming in relief for the Pioneers, allowing 1 run off 1 hit with 1 walk and 4 punchouts in 3.0 innings of action. 

Game Two: 

Crowley's Ridge- 12

Philander Smith- 1

Little Rock, AR- In game two, the Panthers would keep the Pioneers' hits in single digits with the team totaling 9, but with perfectly executed swings and the Pioneer ability to draw 10 walks from the PSU pitching staff, CRC was able to once again swiftly defeat the Panthers by double digits, 12-1. CRC used its hits effectively, with Junior JP Wills record setting swing taking place in the third inning with a three-run homer, only to be followed by Crafton Beeler in the fourth with another three-run shot. Lawson DeVault led the team in hits, going 3-5 with an RBI and 2 runs scored. Reece Bariola followed with the team's other multi-hit effort, going 2-3 with a walk and a run scored. Lastly, Junior Rilyn Coleman added 2 RBI, going 1-3 with a single in the third inning. Haygan Henry earned the win, tossing 3.0 innings and allowing a single walk and collecting one punchout in his outing. 

"Good midweek win. I liked our energy and how we competed at the plate and put together some big innings. We got a lot of guys work on the mound, which is important. Solid day, but we've got to bring that same focus every time out."- Head Coach Spencer Adcock

Up Next: The Pioneers will travel to Springfield, MO, to take on Mission University this weekend in an AMC showdown. #GOPIONEERS

Photo Credit: Paige Glenn