Laurence’s complete game victory prevents series sweep

The Pioneers baseball team has had a rough start to the beginning of the season with only three wins in their first twelve games (1-7 NWC). This past weekend the Pios had hoped to turn things around with a four game series against the Pacific Lutheran Lutes who came into the games with a 3-5 record in conference. The games were played in Tacoma.

In the opening game Friday afternoon, the Pios opening the scoring when Ryan Kostecka (’11) doubled and scored on an RBI single by TJ Witkowski (’10).  The lutes answered in the bottom half of the inning with a two-run home run off Pios starter Jordan Smiley (’08). However, the Pios quickly answered – tying up the game in the second when Roland Greene (’11) singled and came around to score on an RBI by Tucker Laurence (’11).

With the bases empty, the Pioneers started a two-out rally with a single by Jordan Shibata (’08). After loading the bases, a double down the left field line by Chris Estrella (’08) scored the two runs to tie the game.

The Lutes scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth and two more in the sixth to go up 8-4.  The Pioneers tied the game for the fourth inning, plating four runs on five hits including a two RBI pinch-hit single from Jordan Wlodarczyk (’09).  The Lutes, however, scored two runs in the seventh and eighth innings to take a 12-8 victory.

The second game of this double-header ended up with the same result but gave the Pioneers some hope. Chris Estrella, Alex St. Pierre (’11) and Evan Fairmont (’09) combined to throw 6.1 innings and allowed only 1 run on 4 for the Lutes. The Pioneers offense continued to show they can hit the ball with the top of the order made up of Laurence, Shibata, Sam Holman (’11) and AJ Brown (’10), who combined to go 8-16 with 5 runs scored and 4 RBI’s.

The first game Saturday and third game of the series proved to be a pitcher’s duel, an uncommon occurrence for the Pioneers. Tucker Laurence started and finished the game for the Pios pitching seven complete innings and allowing only two Lutes runs to pick up his third victory of the year.

Laurence dominated the first six innings, allowing just four hits, with no Lute making it further than second base. The Lutes rallied against Laurence in the seventh, rattling off four straight one-out singles, but Laurence got the final two outs to hold on for a 3-2 victory, giving the Pioneers their second Conference win of the season.

The Pios were less than impressive at the plate but got RBIs by Neal Finch (’09), Mike Orr (’08) and Kostecka to score just enough wins to pick up their second conference victory with a 3-2 victory over the Lutes.

The final game of the series was dominated by the Lutes.  They scored four runs in the first inning putting the Pios in a hole they could never escape.  The Lutes added two in the third and one more in the fifth to take a 7-0 lead.  The Pioneers scored in the top of the sixth.

Jordan Shibata was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning.  He came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Sam Holman.  After the Lutes added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to take a 9-1 lead, Chris Estrella singled, coming around to score on a single by Mike Orr.  The Lutes held on for a 9-2 victory.

The Pioneers improved to 4-12 (2-10 NWC).  They will be back in action at the Huston Sports Complex next Friday afternoon, March 21, when they open a four-game weekend series against the Whitworth Pirates. The Pirates are 4-8 on the season, two games ahead of the Pioneers. First pitch is at 12 noon.