Pioneers power past McMurry in home debut, 12-7, 18-1

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 McMurry scored the first run of the day, but Wayland Baptist did by far most of the damage after that as the Pioneers opened their home schedule Friday in fine fashion, sweeping the War Hawks at Wilder Field, 12-7 and 18-1.
 
"It was a good outing," Wayland coach Brad Bass understated. "Our pitchers did what they were supposed to do. The defense played well (no errors). The only mistakes were walks."
 
It was hard to find fault even in those 11 free passes, though, since the Pioneers shined everywhere else.
 
Ranked the equivalent of 40^th in the NAIA, Wayland (5-1) pounded out 36 hits in the doubleheader, including seven home runs and a dozen doubles.
 
"The offense was great," Bass said. "Not only did we hit the long ball but we had some bunting and were able to move guys around."
 
Sophomore third baseman Gregg Veneklasen entered the day batting .600 after Wayland's first four games and raised his average to .681 by going 6-for-7 – including a home run and two doubles – with six RBIs.
 
Right-fielder Alex Mumm went 3-for-4 and scored three runs in both contests, getting four RBI in the first game and two in the second. Another newcomer, Caleb Davidson, also had a solid doubleheader as he went 5-for-8 with five runs and three RBI. Junior shortstop Aaron Vallance matched Davidson's 5-for-8 showing and had three RBI and a pair of runs. Center fielder Austin Davis wound up 4-for-7 – including two home runs – with two runs and two RBI in each game.
 
Seven different players homered, with Davis the lone repeat on a day when the wind blew steadily around 20 mph to right field.
 
After McMurry, which was making its season debut, scored the first run of the afternoon in the top of the second inning, Wayland struck for four in the bottom of the inning and never trailed the rest of the day.
 
The Pioneers produced 16 hits in that one.
 
Game two was a blowout from the start when Wayland scored four in the first and seven in the third to lead 12-0 after three.
 
Wayland chalked up 20 hits.
 
The Pioneers' pitchers also were strong.
 
In the opener, Tyler Adams (1-0) picked up his first win of the season after allowing four runs on five hits with two strikeouts and three walks in 5 2/3 innings. Kevin Torres pitched out of a jam after the War Hawks scored three in the seventh inning.
 
In game two, Taylor Bridges (1-1) also picked up win number one of 2016. He pitched five shutout innings, giving up five hits with three Ks and a pair of walks. Matt Flores and Jonathan Frost both tossed one inning of one-hit relief, combining for four strikeouts.
 
Game two was supposed to be a nine-inning event but ended after 6½ due to the 10-run rule, something the chilled fans were grateful for as temperatures continued to drop in the early evening.
 
It was the most runs scored by the Pioneers and their largest margin of victory since a 21-4 victory over Texas-Permian Basin early last season.
 
The teams will reconvene in Abilene for another doubleheader starting at noon Sunday.
 
Bass couldn't be happier with his team's 5-1 start to the season.
 
"We're excited," he said. "We have to try to keep the momentum going and getting better every week."