Canyon, Tex. – The Pioneers battled NCAA Division II West Texas A&M – the 23
rd ranked team in Division II – but ultimately fell short 3-2 after failing to score the tying run from third in the top of the 9
th.
The Pioneers and Buffaloes found themselves in a pitchers dual to begin the contest as neither team was able to score across the first three innings. West Texas A&M eventually opened the scoring with a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth to make it 2-0.
Samuel Fabian continued his torrid power stretch by crushing a solo shot to left to cut the Pioneers deficit in half, 2-1. The Buffaloes got that run back in the bottom of the 5
th after executing a squeeze bunt to score a runner from third to make it 3-1 after five innings of play.
The Pioneers continued to battle in the top of the 6
th after
Cooper Jauz worked a lead-off walk and later scored on an
Arcadio Frausto sacrifice fly to make it 3-2. The Pioneers shut down the Buffalo offense for the remainder of the game and had a prime opportunity to tie the game up in the top of the 9
th after
Brayden Peyton smoked a double to left center.
Cesar Ibarra dropped down a sacrifice bunt to advance Peyton to third with two outs, but the Pioneers were unable to bring Peyton home and fell just short to #23 West Texas A&M, 3-2.
The Pioneers couldn't have asked much more from starting pitcher
Felix Polanco today. The righty was terrific on Saturday – throwing 8.0 innings, while only allowing three runs (two earned), no walks, and eight strikeouts.
Fabian finished 1 for 3 with a home run (his 5
th this season) and a hit by pitch. Jauz went 1 for 3 with a double, a walk, a stolen base, and a run scored.
Brayden Peyton finished 2 for 4 with two doubles.
Up next, the Pioneers will return home for a four-game set against the Grizzlies of Adams State University beginning with a doubleheader on Friday, February 14
th. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 3:00 PM at Wilder Field.
