Incredible 2025 Season Comes to a Close for Pioneers after Tough Loss Against HIU

Lewiston --- The Pioneers picked up a huge 7-6 walk-off win over 3-seed Lewis-Clark State, but a tough 12-4 loss to the 1-seed Hope International in the 2025 NAIA Baseball Opening Round Final eliminated Wayland Baptist and brings the magical 2025 season to a close.
 
 
GAME HIGHLIGHTS VS. 3-SEED LEWIS-CLARK STATE
 
Lewis-Clark State opened the scoring with three runs in the top of the 2^nd after a sacrifice fly and a two-run double made it 3-0 early.
 
Samuel Fabian got the Pioneers on the board in the bottom of the 2^nd with a solo shot to left – his 25^th home run on the season – to make it 3-1, LCSC.
 
The Warriors capitalized on a bases-loaded situation in the top of the 3^rd with a two-run single to extend their lead over the Pioneers to 5-1.
 
Felix Polanco cut the Pioneer deficit to three runs to begin the bottom of the 3^rd after smoking a double to center to score Delvis Claudio from second to make it 5-2. Two batters later, Sinclair Pimentel ripped a two-run single to center to make it 5-4, LCSC, after three innings of play.
 
The Warriors tacked on another run in the top of the 5^th with a solo home run that made it 6-4 midway through this one.
 
The Pioneer offense went quiet for a couple of innings, but Claudio woke them up yet again with a solo shot to left in the bottom of the 7th – his 20^th home run on the season - to make it 6-5 late.
 
With the score at 6-5 entering the bottom of the 9^th and the Pioneers season on the brink of elimination, Fabian kept their hopes alive by smashing an RBI single to left that scored Christian Toledo from second and tied the game at 6-6. With the bases-loaded and one out, senior catcher Brayden Peyton stepped to the dish and ripped a walk-off single to left that scored Fabian and secured the 7-6 win for the Pioneers.
 
Fabian finished today's opener going 2 for 3 with a home run, two RBIs, two walks, and three runs scored. Claudio went 2 for 5 with a home run, a double, and two runs scored. Polanco finished 2 for 5 with a double, an RBI, and a run scored.
 
Pioneer starting pitcher Juan Gil-Franco had a gutsy performance in his final start of the season. He threw 8.1 innings, allowing six runs (only three earned), five walks, while striking out eight. Gil-Franco put it all on the line for his team – picking up the save in last night's finale then working as the starting pitcher in today's opener.
 
 
GAME HIGHLIGHTS VS. 1-SEED HOPE INTERNATIONAL
 
Hope International jumped ahead 3-0 in the bottom of the 1^st after two RBI singles gave them the early lead over the Pioneers.
 
Wayland Baptist got on the board in the top of the 3^rd after Riley Watson reached on an infield single and later scored on a Royals wild pitch that made it 3-1, HIU.
 
The Royals got that run back in their half of the 3^rd after a sacrifice fly put them back ahead by three runs, 4-1.
 
Fabian cut the Pioneer deficit in half after a no-doubter to left – his 26^th home run on the season – made it 4-2, HIU.
 
Hope International continued to add to their lead in the bottom of the 4^th with an RBI double and an RBI single that gave them a 6-2 advantage.
 
The Pioneers continued to battle the defending National Champions in the top of the 5^th after senior Arturo Nunez smoked an RBI single up the middle that scored Vann Johnson from second to make it 6-3.
 
Fabian continued his power surge by smashing his second home run of the game, third overall on the day, and 27^th of the season to bring the Pioneers within two runs, 6-4, in the top of the 6^th.
 
Unfortunately for the Pioneers, the Royals offense exploded over their next two innings, combining for six runs on four hits to push their lead to 12-4 late.
 
The Pioneers put a few runners on base in the top of the 9^th, but the Royals lead was too much to overcome, and the Pioneers fell short, 12-4, to bring their incredible 2025 season to a close.
 
Fabian led the Pioneers offensively going 2 for 5 with two solo home runs. Watson went 2 for 4 with two singles and a run scored. Nunez finished 1 for 4 with an RBI single. Claudio finished 2 for 4 with a walk. Cooper Jauz went 1 for 3 with a single, a walk, and a hit by pitch.
 
For more information about the 2025 NAIA Baseball Opening Rounds presented by Avista, please visit: https://www.naia.org/sports/bsb/2024-25/Releases/Opening_Round