Polanco's Two HRs Fuel Rally as Pioneers Secure Series Win over #17 MACU

Plainview --- Felix Polanco crushes two home run including a go-ahead 3-run shot in the 8^th to lift the Pioneers to a 7-4 victory in this series finale against #17 Mid-America Christian.
 
After two scoreless innings, the Evangels opened the scoring in the top of the 3^rd with a solo home run to take a 1-0 lead. The score stayed 1-0 until the top of the 7^th when the Evangels struck again for two more runs to make it 3-0.
 
The Pioneers began to chip away in the bottom of the 7^th after Delvis Claudio crushed a solo shot to center to make it 3-1 – his 10^th home run of the season. Two batters later, Felix Polanco followed with a solo home run to left to make it 3-2 – Polanco's 8^th of the season.
 
MACU got a run back in the top of the 8^th with another solo home run to make it 4-2, but the Pioneers refused to go away in the bottom of the 7^th. The rally started with a Cooper Jauz two-run single with the bases loaded that tied the game up at 4-4. Polanco was next, and he promptly crushed a 3-run bomb to right to give the Pioneers a 7-4 lead – it was Polanco's 2^nd home run of the game, 4^th of the series, and 9^th of the season.
 
The Pioneers held the Evangels scoreless for the remainder of the game and won 7-4 to secure the 2-1 series win over 17^th ranked Mid-America Christian.
 
Polanco finished 3 for 5 with two home runs and four RBIs. Jauz went 3 for 5 with two RBIs and a run scored. Watson went 2 for 3 with an RBI. Claudio went 1 for 4 with a home run, a walk, and two runs scored.
 
Polanco made the start for the Pioneers in this rubber match, and he threw 6.0 innings with one run, two walks, and nine strikeouts. Juan Gil-Franco threw 1.1 scoreless innings in relief, one walk, and three strikeouts. Gil-Franco picked up the win and is now 3-2 on the season.
 
Head Coach Todd Weldon shared some thoughts after the series win, "Felix is one of the best players in all of the NAIA. He did what he is capable of doing every time he steps foot on the field. The difference is that he competed for his brothers and for the team. This team is special. I love this team, this group of young men."
 
Coach Weldon continued, "I believe they are the best team in the conference and NAIA. IF they come to the field ready to trust, believe in their ability, preparation and also their brothers around them knowing they don't have to do it all themselves, they will achieve special things this year."
 
"I am proud of the way that they competed this weekend, and believe they now know they are a great team that we recruited and coached them to be. We expect great things of this team and I believe they all now know it too!"
 
The Pioneers will travel to San Angelo, Texas on Tuesday, March 11^th for a midweek doubleheader against NCAA Division II opponent Angelo State University. Game one of the doubleheader is scheduled to start at 3:00 PM.