Hobbs, New Mexico – The Pioneers got a 4-1 midweek win over the University of the Southwest (N.M.) on Tuesday afternoon after a great start by
Grayson Soukup.
The Pioneers opened the scoring column in the top of the 1
st inning after
Samuel Fabian reached base on a Mustang error, stole second base and advanced to third on another Mustang error, and scored after
Arcadio Frausto drove a single to right. After a
Delvis Claudio walk put him at first and Frausto at second,
Cooper Jauz smacked a single to left field to score Frausto to make it 2-0 Pioneers.
After five shutout innings from Soukup, the Pioneers scratched across another run in the bottom of the 5
th after Fabian scrambled home on a wild pitch to make it 3-0. Soukup loaded the bases in the bottom of the 6
th inning but was able to escape the jam only allowing one runner to score after getting a fielder's choice and a flyout to right to keep it a 3-1 game heading into the 7
th inning.
Felix Polanco stepped to the plate to begin the top of the 7
th inning, and he immediately got that run back for the Pioneers by crushing a solo homer, his 5
th on the season, to make it a 4-1 lead for Wayland Baptist.
Tate House relieved Soukup to start the bottom of the 7
th, and he threw two scoreless innings only allowing one hit while striking out two. The Pioneers then brought utilityman Polanco to the mound to close the game out. Polanco gave up a leadoff single but struck the next batter out and got the final two hitters to popup in the infield to complete the outstanding pitching display by the Pioneers with a 4-1 victory.
Wayland Baptist (15-12, 5-1 SAC) gave Soukup the start against the Mustangs, his first start of the season, and he was dominant for the Pioneers. The sophomore threw six innings, allowing one run, 4 hits, 2 walks, while striking out 7 Mustang batters.
Frausto finished 2-3 with an RBI, a run scored, a walk, and a stolen base. Polanco finished 1-5 with a solo home run, and also picked up the save on the mound. Jauz finished 2-4 with an RBI.
The Pioneers will host the Lions of Southwestern Assemblies of God University for a 3-game Sooner Athletic Conference series with a doubleheader on Friday and a single-game on Saturday. The first pitch for game one of the Friday doubleheader is set for 2:00 PM.
