Polanco's Big Game Secures Sweep of RV Texas Wesleyan and 6th Straight Victory for Pioneers

Plainview --- Felix Polanco throws a complete-game and walk-off the Rams in the 7^th to secure the 13-3 run-rule victory for the Pioneers and clinch the three-game sweep of RV Texas Wesleyan.
 
Texas Wesleyan opened the scoring in today's series finale with a lead-off home run to make it 1-0 in the top of the 1^st. The Pioneers evened the score up at 1-1 in the bottom of the 3^rd after Polanco reached on a Ram error that allowed Delvis Claudio to score.
 
The Rams jumped back in front of the Pioneer in the top of the 4^th after a two-run double made it 3-1, but the Pioneers were locked in the rest of the way.
 
Riley Watson got a run back for the Pioneers in the bottom of the 4^th after driving an RBI single center that scored Edgard Bermudez to make it 3-2, Rams. Polanco would then tie the game in the bottom of the 5^th after reaching on a fielder's choice that scored Claudio to make it 3-3.
 
Arcadio Frausto gave the Pioneers the lead in the bottom of the 5^th with an RBI single that scored Samuel Fabian to make it 4-3, WBU.
 
The Pioneers delivered a massive blow to the Rams in the bottom of the 6^th that started with Polanco working a bases-loaded walk to make it 5-3. Fabian then cleared the bases with a massive double to deep center field to give the Pioneers an 8-3 lead after six innings of play.
 
The 7^th inning was even better than 6^th inning for the Pioneer offense – scoring five runs to clinch put the 10-run after 7-inning run-rule into effect. The rally started with Claudio reaching base after another Ram defensive mistake allowed Raphael Beltre Toledo and Watson to score and make it 10-3.
 
Cooper Jauz then delivered a two-run bomb to left – his 3^rd home run on the season – to extend the Pioneer lead to 12-3. Polanco would end the game in the bottom of the 7^th after crushing a solo moonshot to left center – his 12^th home run this season – to secure the 13-3 victory for the Pioneers in this series finale against RV Texas Wesleyan.
 
From the dish, Polanco finished 1 for 4 with a home run, three RBIs, and a walk. Fabian went 2 for 4 with a double, three RBIs, a stolen base, and a run scored. Watson finished 2 for 3 with an RBI, a walk, a stolen base, and a run scored. Claudio went 1 for 3 with a walk, three stolen bases, a hit by pitch, and four runs scored. Jauz finished 2 for 4 with a home run, two RBIs, a walk, and two runs scored.
 
Polanco got the start for the Pioneers in this series finale, and he battled tremendously down the stretch to earn the win. Polanco threw 7.0 innings, allowing three runs, four walks, while striking out six batters. Polanco is now 3-3 on the season.
 
The Pioneers have now won four of their first five series in Sooner Athletic Conference play, six in a row, and now sit in 2^nd place with a 20-13 overall record and 11-4 record in SAC play. The offense has been electric so far this season and currently ranks among the top in the NAIA in multiple statistical categories (both as a team and individually) such as:
 
-6^th in home runs (56)
-6^th in extra base hits (132)
-15^th in doubles (67)
-16^th in hits (324)
-Delvis Claudio T-3^rd in home runs (14) and T-14^th in double (12)
-Samuel Fabian T-6^th in home runs (16)
-Felix Polanco T-11^th in home runs (11) and T-5^th in RBIs (46)
 
The Pioneers will return to the field on Tuesday, March 25^th when they travel to Hobbs, New Mexico for a midweek non-conference game against the University of the Southwest (NM) Mustangs. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 PM.