Pioneers pick up 2 much-needed wins

Wayland Baptist picked up two much-needed victories on the strength of a pair of complete-game pitching efforts as the Pioneers defeated Central Christian (Kan.) on Saturday at Wilder Field, 10-2 and 9-5.

The wins snapped a six-game skid for Wayland, which improved its records to 18-16, 3-11 SAC; the Tigers slipped to 8-25, 2-12.

In the opener, Tanner Solomon mowed down a career-high 14 Tiger batters as the senior allowed seven hits while walking only one. Solomon improved to 3-3.

The Pioneers trailed 2-1 but blew the game open by scoring seven runs in the third when Wayland logged four hits, drew four walks and benefited from three wild pitches, an error and a balk.

Wayland, which added two more runs in the fifth, ended with a dozen hits, was led at the plate by Arturo Disla, who went 3-for-3, and by Jake Green and Dawin Santos, who had two doubles each. Green and designated hitter Jack Kolich had two RBIs apiece, while Hayden Ingram and courtesy runner Mark Anzaldua both scored twice.

In game 2, it was Ty Jackson's turn to shine on the hill as the junior struck out a career-high eight and walked none while giving up eight hits. Jackson improved to 4-1.

The score was tied at 1 when Wayland again blew the game open with seven runs, this time four in the third and three in the fourth.

Brock Webber and Disla opened and closed Wayland's scoring with solo homers in the second and sixth innings. In between, the Pioneers got a string of RBI-doubles from Disla, Arambula, Green and Santos in the third and fourth frames.

Tyler Latham, Green, Disla and Arambula contributed two hits each toward WBU's 11-hit total. Disla and Arambula drove in two runs apiece while Latham, DIsla and Matthew Unangst scored two runs each.

The series final is set to begin at noon Saturday.