Pioneers finish season-opening series strong

After a disheartening loss in their season-opener, the Wayland Baptist baseball team didn't blink. The Pioneers not only bounced back to win game two of Friday's 2019 debut doubleheader, but also took both games Saturday afternoon over Central Baptist (Ark.) at Wilder Field, 7-2 and 9-4.
 
While both of Friday's games held lots of drama when the visiting Mustangs scored four runs in the seventh to win the opener, 6-4, before the Pioneers staved off late-game challenges to take game two, 3-1, Saturday's contests weren't as close.
 
In the first outing, the Mustangs scored single runs in the first and seventh frames, but Wayland's defense gave up nothing in between. The Pioneers, meanwhile, scored five runs in the first four innings then added two more in the sixth on a home run by shortstop Gregory Ozuna.
 
Ozuna was part of the Pioneers' upper line-up charge that saw the No. 2, 3 and 4 hitters – Austin Moya, Ozuna and Dawin Santos – combine to go 7-for-11, accounting for most of WBU's 11 hits. Centerfielder Moya led the pack by going 3-for-4 and scoring three times, while also picking up an RBI.
 
Pitcher Bryson Calaway saw his first action in more than a year after the sophomore from Littlefield missed last season with an injury. In four innings, Calaway scattered six hits and gave up just one run and one walk as he mostly relied on an error-free defense. Freshman Cesar Paz went the final three innings in relief to earn the save as he surrendered a run on four hits while fanning four and walking none. Pioneer batters were given five free passes by Central Baptist starter Justin Vincent.
 
WBU took control of game two from the get-go, scoring three in the first and two more in each of the next three innings to assume a 9-2 lead after four. The Mustangs plated a run in each of the sixth and seventh frames to account for the 9-4 final.
 
The top of the Pioneers' order enjoyed another strong performance at the plate, with lead-off second baseman Yaniel Vargas and freshman third baseman Ramon Cruz getting in on the fun this time this time. Vargas, Cruz and Santos collected two hits apiece, as did right-fielder Jacob Adams.
 
Adams ended with three RBIs, two on a home run to left that capped Wayland's scoring for the weekend.
 
The Mustangs ended with one more hit than Wayland, 10-9, but again the Pioneer defense held steady with just one error compared to three for Central Baptist, which accounted for four unearned runs.
 
Sophomore starter Chris Lacher picked up the win, allowing four hits while striking out three in four innings. Freshman Jack McMillan offered two innings before freshman Nic Vasquez got the final three outs. Each of Wayland's pitchers were charged with one earned run apiece.
 
The Pioneers take their first road trip of the season next weekend to face Houston-Victoria in a doubleheader Friday then a single game Saturday. The Jaguars won two of three games at home against Sterling, Kan., this weekend. They host St. Mary's on Tuesday before welcoming the Pioneers.