Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 The Pioneers split their second doubleheader in as many days with Avila University on Saturday, losing the first game by a score of 8-7, but coming back to take the nightcap in no-hit fashion, 4-0.
The second game of the doubleheader featured sophomore Tom Bailey on the mound. The native of Perth, Australia, hurled a no-hitter in his first Pioneer start at Wilder Field, a feat the pitcher admittedly acknowledged throughout the course of the game.
"I knew there was still a no-hitter going, but Coach kept telling me to just keep my composure," Bailey said. "There were some situations where I thought that was it, but I just wanted to focus on each batter and not the final outcome."
Zeros were the only number in either team's run column until the fourth inning, when the Pioneers struck for four earned runs off Eagle starter Nathan Bacon.
"Seeing those runs come in took a huge weight off my shoulders," Bailey said. "This one was definitely a team effort."
The last Pioneer no-hitter came almost five years ago to the day from Plainview native Todd Jeffress, who came within an error of throwing a perfect game against Northwood University.
"With the way he was throwing, I honestly thought he was going to be able to do it after the fifth," WBU Coach Brad Bass said. "There was one spot in the final inning where I was nervous, but we were able to find a way."
Bailey walked the lead-off batter in the seventh, his fourth bases on balls of the afternoon. After a fly out to center and a fielder's choice groundout, Eagle rightfielder Chase Jackson laced a hard grounder to first, but WBU sophomore Brandon Barcalow fielded the ball cleanly and stepped on the bag for the final out.
"It's amazing to get to witness a no-hitter," Barcalow said. "To be able to get that last out and see the reaction on Tom's face was priceless."
Once the first base umpire called Jackson out, Bailey was mobbed by his teammates and shortly thereafter received a celebratory shaving cream pie.
Bailey transferred to Wayland last fall from Dakota State University because, according to Bass, the righthander preferred to pitch in the warmer environment of Plainview because the weather is similar to his hometown.
"He hates the cold, so it's kind of ironic that he was able to throw this game on a day like today," Bass said. "He called me several times over the summer to try to get to play here, and today, I'm glad I took that call."
Playing conditions during Saturday's doubleheader were brutally cold with temperatures topping out in the mid 30's and a stiff wind from the northeast which took wind chills down into the upper teens.
Catcher Brian Allen and Barcalow led off the four-run fourth with back-to-back base hits, and after Calvin Bass's sacrifice bunt, Bernie Rosario singled in courtesy runner Caden Whitley. Chris Buitron followed with a perfect squeeze bunt, and Colton Palmer followed with a single up the middle to score Rosario.
Allen had two hits in the game, and Josh Chinni connected on his fourth double of the season.
The opener was sloppily played by both squads, as the two teams combined for 12 walks and eight errors. Pioneer starter Kevin Burbank went four innings and allowed five earned before turning it over to the bullpen. Freshman Paxton Bartley was the first reliever in the game and ended up taking his second loss of the season after surrendering two unearned runs.
Chinni led the way once again offensively for the Pioneers, going 2-for-3 at the plate and driving in two. Freshman Dilon Chancellor provided a clutch 2-RBI single in the fourth for his lone hit on the day. Palmer found his way on base twice with walks and came around to score both times.
The Pioneers, now 8-6, are off until February 24th when they open Sooner Athletic Conference play at Wilder Field against the #19 Hillcats of Rogers State University.
by Jordan Herrod
Sports Information Student Assistant
