Arlington, Texas – The Pioneers split the first two games on the road against Arlington Baptist after an offensive explosion for 10 runs in an extra-inning game 1 win, and a tough loss despite
Tyson Potts going a complete-game, 11 strikeout performance in game 2.
Wayland Baptist (5-7) started the scoring in the top of the 1
st inning after
Arcadio Frausto drove in Jan Rollon Jr with a single to center field.
Samuel Fabian hit into a double play to end the top of the 1
st, but the Pioneers were able to score a run before the final out to make it 2-0. The Patriots responded in their half of the first with a 2-run homer to right to tie the game at 2 a piece. Arlington Baptist was able to take the lead in the bottom of the 3
rd inning after an RBI double scored a runner from first. In the top of the 4
th inning, the Pioneers regained the lead after
Delvis Claudio drove a triple to right to score two runs to make it 4-3.
With the score tied at 4,
Cooper Jauz stepped to the plate and smacked a double to left to score a runner from second to make it 5-4, Pioneers. With the Pioneers holding a 6-5 lead in the top of the 7
th, Rollon Jr was hit by the pitch with the bases loaded to score a run making it 7-5.
Samuel Fabian then came in to score on a passed ball that made it 8-5 in favor of the Pioneers. Wayland Baptist was unable to close the game in the bottom of the 7
th as the Patriots scratched across 3 runs to tie the game and send it into extra innings.
In the top of the 8
th, the Pioneers scored the go-ahead run with
Gustavo Nava driving a single to right to score
Vann Johnson and make it a 9-8 Pioneer lead. The Pioneers got one more run in the top of the 8
th on an error to make it 10-8. The Patriots scored one run in the bottom of the 8
th to trim their deficit to one run, but
William Flowers struck out back-to-back batters to seal the victory for the Pioneers, 10-9.
Juan Gil-Franco made the start for the Pioneers – pitching 6 innings, giving up 5 runs, 8 hits, 5 walks, and striking out 6 Patriots.
William Flowers pitched 1.2 innings, giving up 1 run, 4 walks, and striking out 4 batters to clinch game one for the Pioneers.
Claudio went 3-4 with a triple, double, 2 RBIs, and 2 runs scored. Rollon Jr. went 3-5 with an RBI, 2 runs scored, and a hit by pitch.
Gustavo Nava went 2-4 with an RBI single.
Arcadio Frausto went 1-3 with an RBI and 2 walks.
The Pioneers found themselves in a pitcher dual in game 2 of Friday's doubleheader as the matchup saw a combined 21 strikeouts by both starting pitchers. Wayland Baptist starter,
Tyson Potts, went 6 innings, allowing 2 runs both unearned, 2 walks, and striking out 11 Patriot batters.
The Pioneers were able to get two runners on in the top of the 1
st inning, but they were unable to bring anyone in to score. Potts struck out the side swinging in the bottom of the 1
st to get 3 of his 11 K's. The Patriots scratched across 2 runs in the bottom of the 4
th after a couple of Pioneer errors to make it 2-0. In the top of the 7
th inning,
Delvis Claudio knocked an RBI single into center field to make it 2-1. The Pioneers got two runners into scoring position, but they were unable to bring them in to score, and fall short to Arlington Baptist in game 2, 2-1.
Claudio went 2-4 with an RBI.
Felix Polanco finished 2-3 with a double and a sacrifice fly. Jan Rollon Jr went 1-2 with 2 walks.
The Pioneers will look to win the road series with Arlington Baptist tomorrow afternoon in another doubleheader. First pitch of game 1 is set for 12:00 PM.
