Hit and Run
Sophomore Tanner Christie prepares to hit the ball.
On Thursday, March 17, the Pioneer baseball team faced the Ozark Hillbillies in Ozark. Sophomore Myles McFerron only allowed one hit, but the Gentry Pioneers still fell to Ozark 6-1 in seven innings. Ozark jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. They never surrendered the lead after the fourth inning, scoring four runs on two doubles.
“We have the talent, skill, and potential to compete for a conference championship and to make a deep run in the playoffs,” said senior Dylan Murphy.
Friday, March 18 the boys battled Providence Academy. The Pioneers took the last of four lead changes in a back and forth affair, securing a 8-7 victory. Gentry pulled out the win thanks to a strong seventh inning. The Pioneers scored on an RBI single by senior Wyatt Clark, bringing home senior Zac Adkins. Clark racked up three RBIs in two hits.The bottom of the first saw the Pioneers take an early lead, 2-0. Freshman Ayden Smartt singled to ignite Gentry’s offense. A passed ball then moved Smartt from first to second. The Pioneers pushed more runs across when Clark scored on an RBI single by senior CJ Taylor.
“We started off with some intensity and got the lead but came out flat after the second. Providence got up on us but late in the game, we busted our butts and pulled out with the win in the bottom of the seventh,” said Adkins.
The Pioneers faced the Pea Ridge Blackhawks on Thursday, March 24 in Pea Ridge. Despite a big day at the dish from Taylor, who finished 2-4, the Pioneers lost 11-2 against the Blackhawks. Senior Tanner Shipp baffled Pea Ridge, striking out four batters, allowing three earned runs, six hits and no walks over 3 ⅓ innings. Pea Ridge never surrendered the lead after the third inning, scoring seven runs.
“This year the team has had to overcome some obstacles early on. Luckily we have the talent and leadership to fight back. We’re doing very well and we hope to continue to play stellar defense and slap dingers all around the ballpark. We’ve practiced hard on the game and worked on our field, which is one of the best in the state. Practice doesn’t make perfect, it makes permanent. We have a lot of guys who love the game and want to win and compete and some coaches who want it just as badly and will push us until we get there. Hopefully, we continue to win and play baseball our way,” junior Colton Little said.
On Friday, March 25, the Pioneers battled Junction City. Smartt went 2-4 at the plate, but Gentry fell 11-5. The game’s last lead went to Junction City thanks to a first inning rally that saw four runs cross the plate on an error and two singles.
The Pioneers faced the Pea Ridge blackhawks on Tuesday, March 29 and will face the Berryville bobcats on Thursday, March 31 in Berryville.
