Hobbs – The Pioneers traveled to Hobbs, New Mexico for a midweek doubleheader against the University of the Southwest. Wayland Baptist fell short in game one 8-3, but an offensive explosion in game two for the Pioneers led to a 15-1 victory.
GAME ONE
Wayland Baptist cracked the scoreboard first in game one after
Christian Toledo ripped a lead-off double and later scored on a
Sinclair Pimentel RBI groundout to make it 1-0. The Mustangs answered back immediately in the bottom of the 1
st with four runs on five hits, making it 4-1, USW. The Mustangs added another run in the bottom of the 3
rd to push their lead up to 5-1.
The Mustangs took complete command in the middle innings of game one after scoring two more runs in the bottom of the 4
th and one run in the bottom of the 5
th that put them ahead of the Pioneers, 8-1.
Samuel Fabian got two runs back for the Pioneers in the top of the 7
th with a two-run double to make it 8-3, but the deficit was too much for the Pioneers as they suffered the game one defeat.
Fabian finished 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs.
Felix Polanco went 2 for 3 with two double and a run scored.
Delvis Claudio went 1 for 3 with a run scored.
GAME TWO
After going down 1-2-3 in the top of the 1
st, the Pioneer offense completely flipped and finally started getting runners on base and driving them in. Claudio opened the scoring in the bottom of the 2
nd for the Pioneers with an RBI single to make it 1-0. The top of the 3
rd inning is where the Pioneers put this one away.
Arcadio Frausto got the Pioneer hit parade started with a bases-loaded, two-run double to make it 3-0. Polanco then knocked in two more runs after the Mustangs had a costly error that made it 5-0, WBU. Claudio followed Polanco with a two-run bomb that made it 7-0 with two outs. After a Fabian single and
Cooper Jauz walk,
Riley Watson stepped to the plate and clubbed a three-run shot to make it a 10-0 ballgame.
The Mustangs would answer back for their only run of the game in the bottom of the 3
rd to make it 10-1, Pioneers. Frausto got that run back for the Pioneers in the top of the 4
th with a little help from the Mustang defense after another costly error put Wayland Baptist ahead, 11-1. Fabian continued his strong afternoon with another two-run single that pushed their lead up to 13-1. Polanco and Claudio would each drive in one run in the top of the 5
th to make it 15-1, Pioneers.
Neither team was able to score another run for the rest of the game, and the Pioneers cruised to a 15-1 game two victory over the University of the Southwest (NM).
Wayland Baptist starting pitcher,
Branin Seibert, was light out in game two and had the Mustang hitters off balanced all game. Seibert threw a complete game (7.0 innings), while only allowing one run on five hits, seven strikeouts, and three walks. With the win, Seibert now holds a 2-0 record with a 3.07 ERA across 14.2 innings this season.
Claudio was outstanding at the plate in game two – finishing 3 for 4 with a home run (4
th on the season) and four RBIs. Watson went 2 for 3 with a home run (2
nd on the season), three RBIs, a hit by pitch, and two runs scored. Frausto went 2 for 4 with a double, three RBIs, and three runs scored. Polanco went 1 for 4 with a three RBIs, a walk, and three runs scored.
UP NEXT
The Pioneers will return home on Friday, February 7
th for a single game against the Mustangs of the University of the Southwest (NM). First pitch is scheduled for approximately 3:30 PM at Wilder Field.
