Powell Pioneers split games in North Dakota

Posted 6/21/11

Powell defeated two post teams from Rapid City, S.D. The team dropped games to Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and the tournament host.

The Pioneers opened their tournament with a 10-5 victory over Rapid City Post 22. Colt Nix went the distance on …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Powell Pioneers split games in North Dakota

Posted

Powell defeats pair of Rapid City squads in Legion baseball

The Powell Pioneers moved to 14-11 this American Legion baseball season after a split of four games over the weekend at the Legion baseball tournament in Williston, N.D. The Pioneers played four games in three days after rains washed out one day of the event.

Powell defeated two post teams from Rapid City, S.D. The team dropped games to Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and the tournament host.

The Pioneers opened their tournament with a 10-5 victory over Rapid City Post 22. Colt Nix went the distance on the mound for Powell, allowing nine hits and five walks while striking out three to claim the victory.

“Our two-out hitting in that game was just great,” said Pioneers’ coach Mike Jameson. “We scored six of our 10 runs with two outs, so the guys did a good job of coming up with clutch hits to not leave guys on base.”

Seth Gilmore went 3-for-3 in the contest, including a double, with three RBIs. Tyler England added a 2-for-3 performance that included an RBI and two runs scored. Jake Beuster also doubled for the Pioneers, who jumped out to an early three-run lead and built upon it as the game went along.

Regina 8, Powell 7 (10 innings)

In a reversal from the previous day, Powell fell behind early by a three-run count after a pair of first-inning errors and two more first-inning walks conspired to give Regina a 3-0 lead before the Pioneers ever picked up a bat.

The Pioneers were able to prevent their Canadian opponent from pulling away, but were in constant catch-up mode on the scoreboard until England’s two-run opposite field home run in the sixth inning tied the game. Neither team scored again until the 10th inning.

Regina plated a pair of runs in the top of the 10th as it drew a pair of two-out walks and followed them with a base hit. Powell rallied for one run in the bottom of the inning as Gilmore’s single chased home Olson. The Pioneers sacrificed Gilmore into scoring position, but back-to-back strikeouts left the tying run stranded on base.

“We had good production at the top of the order, but our bottom five batters were a combined 1-for-24 in the game,” said Jameson. “We need to get a little more balance.”

Gilmore finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs. England was 2-for-5. Beuster threw nine innings, but received a no-decision despite striking out nine Regina batters and allowing just two earned runs to cross. Garrett Czapla came aboard to pitch the 10th inning and took the loss.

Williston 14, Powell 4

A parade of Powell pitchers was no match for tournament host Williston. Frankie Vogt, Olie Olson and Justin Lynn all took their turns on the mound in this contest and all were bothered by similar control issues as they collectively handed out 11 walks and three hit batters.

“We just gave them too many free bases,” Jameson said, also noting that Williston did not have a batter strike out in the contest. “Williston is a good team with three college players. If you give them that many extra base runners, they’re going to make you pay.”

Offensively, Powell produced seven hits at the plate. England and Beuster were each good for two hits in the contest, both finishing 2-for-3.

Powell 8, Rapid City Post 320 3

Josh Cragoe threw a complete game, allowing six hits and striking out six as the Pioneers finished a weekend sweep of South Dakota teams.

Gilmore delivered the hit of the game with a blast over the right field wall. The shot was part of a 2-for-3 day at the plate and had his coach still talking about it on Monday morning.

“It was just a monster blast,” Jameson said. “They’ve got this recreation center beyond the fence in right field, and he just about launched it onto the roof of that. He had a great tournament up there and that was just a blast.”

Nate Fulton added a hit in his only official plate appearance. Vogt was 2-for-4 at the dish.

Powell, now 14-11 overall, will host Cody in a conference doubleheader on Wednesday night. The Pioneers are 2-0 in conference play so far this summer. The team will also host its annual Heavy Metal Classic, but a late cancellation has thrown some chaos into the schedule for this weekend.

“We’re trying to contact the teams,” Jameson said.

Douglas and the Billings Angels are scheduled to appear for the weekend event.

Comments