Pioneers roll in season-openers

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 The 2017 season got off to about as comfortable start as possible as Wayland Baptist took out University of the Southwest, 24-2, on Friday afternoon at Wilder Field. The 20^th-ranked Pioneers kept things rolling in game two and also won that won with ease, 12-6.

After new WBU President Dr. Bobby Hall threw out the ceremonial first pitch, it didn't take the Pioneers long to start pinging the bats. Wayland scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back.

Wayland put up an eight-spot in the third to assume a 14-0 advantage.

By the time it was over, the Pioneers had scored in all six innings and posted their most runs in a game and most-lopsided win since a 25-0 victory over Mid-America Christian near the end of the 2011 season.

Wayland wound up with 17 hits, including home runs by Alex Mumm, Gaby De La Cruz, Caleb Davidson and Paxton Covel.

In all, 19 Pioneers saw action in the game, and of the 16 who went to the plate 13 recorded a hit.

Opening-day starter Taylor Bridges picked up the win, giving up two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and just one walk in 4 1/3 innings. Tristen Hefner and Ryne Williams finished up.

Game two was almost as lopsided, although the Mustangs (0-2) managed to make more of a game of it.

Wayland again got off to a quick start, scoring four in the first and leading 9-1 after four. USW was able to make it somewhat interesting by plating four in the sixth, but the Pioneers were never really threatened.

Gregg Veneklasen ended this one 3-for-4 at the plate with three runs and three RBI. His two-run home run in the first set the tone. Freshman catcher Derek Farmer also had three RBI in going 2-for-3.

Junior transfer pitcher Matt Flores was the beneficiary of those early runs as he struck out eight with four walks against two hits and two runs in 4 2/3. Mitch Naylor and Kyle Eiffert came on in relief before freshman Collin Isbell closed the door, striking out a pair of Mustangs in 1 2/3 hitless innings.

The teams will reconvene at 1 p.m. CST Sunday in Hobbs for another doubleheader.