Claudio and Polanco Combine for 5 HRs, WBU Splits Two Thrillers Against #17 MACU

Plainview --- The Pioneers handed the Evangels their first loss in Sooner Athletic Conference play with a score of 6-5, but #17 MACU answered back with an 8-6 eight inning victory in game two.
 
 
GAME ONE
 
After the Evangels opened the scoring in the top of the 2^nd with an RBI single, the Pioneers answered back quickly in their half of the 2^nd after Sinclair Pimentel drove a solo home run to make it 1-1 – Pimentel's 2^nd home run of the season. Riley Watson would later score on a balk to give the Pioneers a 2-1 lead after two.
 
The Evangels retook the lead in the top of the 3^rd, 3-2, after scoring two runs on four hits. MACU added another run in the top of the 5^th with a solo home run, but the Pioneers stormed back in their half of the 5^th after Felix Polanco crushed a two-run home run to center – his 5^th home run of the season – to give the Pioneers a 5-4 lead. MACU tied the game at 5-5 in the top of the 6^th after another RBI single.
 
Christian Toledo got the Pioneers rolling in the bottom of the 6^th after smoking a double to the right center field gap – putting the go-ahead run in scoring position. After advancing to third later in the inning, Toledo was able to race home for the go-ahead run after an Evangel wild pitch gave the Pioneers a 6-5 lead. Juan Gil-Franco slammed the door on #17 MACU in the top of the 7^th and secured the 6-5 win for Wayland Baptist in game one.
 
Polanco finished 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs. Pimentel went 2 for 3 with a home run. Toledo went 2 for 2 with a double, a walk, and two runs scored. Claudio finished 1 for 4 with a double, and RBI, and a run scored.
 
Tate House got the start for the Pioneers in game one, and he threw 3.2 innings with three runs allowed, no walks, and two strikeouts. Gil-Franco entered in relief and threw 3.1 innings, allowing two runs, no walks, with one strikeout. Gil-Franco earned the win and is now 2-2 on the season.
 
 
GAME TWO
 
Wayland Baptist found themselves in a deep hole early in game two as the Evangels scored five runs on a grand slam and a solo home run without recording an out in the top of the 1^st. The 5-0 Evangel shrunk immediately in the bottom of the 1^st after Delvis Claudio crushed a lead-off home run – his 8^th home run of the season – to make it 5-1. Two batters later, Felix Polanco followed up with a two-run bomb – his 6^th home run of the season – to trim the Pioneer deficit to just 5-3.
 
Tyson Potts entered in relief to stop the bleeding for the Pioneers, and he did just that by getting a 1-2-3 top of the 2^nd inning. Claudio stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the 2^nd and proceeded to crush his 2^nd home run of the game – his 9^th of the season – to push make it 5-4, MACU. In similar fashion to the first inning, Polanco followed two batters later and crushed a two-run opposite field bomb – his 2^nd of the game, 3^rd of the afternoon, and 7^th of the season – to push the Pioneers ahead, 6-5.
 
The Pioneers had a chance to close the game in the top of the 7^th, but the Evangels wouldn't allow the sweep to happen as they scored the game-tying run to make it 6-6 and forcing extra innings.
 
The Pioneers trailed again in the top of the 8^th after the Evangels loaded the bases then blooped an unlucky single to left to score two run – giving MACU an 8-6 lead. The Pioneers didn't have the same fortune in their half of the 8^th and the #17 Evangels stole game two, 8-6.
 
Even though his efforts weren't rewarded with a win, Potts was terrific out of the bullpen for the Pioneers this afternoon. Potts went 6.2 innings, allowing one run, two walks, and four strikeouts.
 
Polanco finished 3 for 4 with two home runs and four RBIs. Claudio went 2 for 4 with two solo home runs. Cooper Jauz went 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored.
 
 
UP NEXT
 
The Pioneers will cap off this three-game series against the 17^th ranked Evangels on Sunday, March 9^th at 1:00 PM at Wilder Field.