Pioneer third baseman Gregg Veneklasen hit .636 to lead the No. 25 Pioneers to a three-game sweep of St. Gregory’s that pushed Wayland into a tie for first place in the Sooner Athletic Conference with Oklahoma City. Veneklasen, who was named SAC Baseball Player of the Week, went 7-for-11 and had eight RBI while hitting two home runs, one triple and one double. He ended with a 1.455 slugging percentage and scored six runs and had one walk and one stolen base. The sophomore from Amarillo recorded multiple hits and RBI in all three games and multiple runs in two games. One of Veneklasen’s home runs was aided by the St. Gregory’s centerfielder when he couldn’t haul in the long ball and punched it over the fence.
 
On the season, Veneklasen ranks among the leaders in the NAIA in several categories, including No. 2 in total bases (116), No. 5 in hits (62), No. 7 in triples (5), No. 12 in slugging percentage (0.795) and No. 15 in home runs (10).
 
The Pioneers (32-9 overall, 9-3 SAC) have secured their third straight 30-plus win season, their 12^th in the 25-year history of the program. Currently tied with No. 15 for first place in the league standings, Wayland continues SAC play this weekend in Fort Worth against fourth-place Texas Wesleyan (23-14, 8-4 SAC), playing a doubleheader at 2 p.m. Friday followed by a single game at 1 p.m. Saturday.