Chickasha, Okla. – After inclement weather forced the opening Sooner Athletic Conference series of the season to begin one day later than anticipated, the Pioneers dropped the first two games of this three-game set against the University of Science and Arts (Okla.) Drovers. In game one of today's doubleheader, the Pioneers fell short, 4-7, while game two ended with a 3-6 Drovers win.
GAME ONE
Wayland Baptist opened the scoring in game one after senior
Cooper Jauz drove in
Samuel Fabian with an RBI single to make it 1-0 in the top of the 2
nd. The Drovers answered back quickly in their half of the 2
nd with two runs to take a 2-1 lead over the Pioneers.
The Pioneers evened up the score at 2-2 in the top of the 4
th after Fabian worked a bases loaded walk, but the Drovers struck big in the bottom of the 5
th for five runs to take a commanding 7-2 lead over the Pioneers late.
The Pioneers got two runs back in the top of the 7
th after a two-run double from
Felix Polanco, but that was all the offense they could generate as the Drovers secured a 7-4 win in game one.
Polanco finished 2 for 4 with a double and two RBIs. Jauz went 1 for 2 with an RBI, a walk, and a stolen base. Fabian went 1 for 3 with a double, and RBI, a walk, and a run scored.
GAME TWO
After both starting pitchers threw two scoreless innings to begin the game, it was the Pioneers who would once again strike first as Polanco crushed a solo shot to make it 1-0 – his 3
rd home run of the season. The Drovers finally cracked the scoreboard in the bottom of the 4
th – scoring three runs on two hits to take a 3-1 lead over the Pioneers.
Delvis Claudio got a run back for the Pioneers in the top of the 5
th after ripping an RBI single to make it 3-2, but the Drovers had another crushing inning at the plate as they score three more runs in the bottom of the 5
th to take a 6-2 lead.
Sinclair Pimentel kept the Pioneers within striking distance in the top of the 6
th with a solo home run – his 1
st home run of the season – to make it 6-3, Drovers. The Pioneers were unable to manufacture anymore runs and fell short in game two, 6-3.
Pimentel finished game two going 2 for 3 with a home run, an RBI, and a stolen base. Polanco went 1 for 3 with a solo home run and a hit by pitch.
UP NEXT
The Pioneers will conclude this three-game set against the Drovers with a single nine-inning game on Sunday, February 23
rd. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
