Memorial Day tournament a washout

The Powell Pioneers split an impromptu Memorial Day doubleheader against the Billings Cardinals on Monday. The games were a hasty addition to the schedule following the cancellation of the three-day Billings Memorial Day tournament.

“It was a last-minute thing that we kind of threw together,” said Pioneers coach Mike Jameson. “They wanted to play. We wanted some games. It was a chance to play two more at home, and the weather was actually pretty good.”

Jake Beuster made his season debut on the mound for Powell in the opening game and threw a complete-game victory as the Pioneers won 8-4. Beuster, back from junior college, scattered nine hits around the stadium and allowed two earned runs to the Cardinals. He also struck out nine batters while walking only one.

“That’s what we want from him,” said Jameson. “We expect him to come in here and be the ace of this staff because he can go deep into games and work his way out of jams for us.”

The Pioneers missed an opportunity to welcome Beuster back with some early run support. Powell stranded two runners in scoring position in the first inning and failed to bring home any runs despite loading the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the second inning.

“That was really disappointing,” Jameson said of the second inning. “To load them up without an out and then not be able to push across a run. Those are the kinds of opportunities we need to take advantage of.”

The Pioneers were on the verge of stranding two more runners in scoring position in the third inning when Bryce Wright delivered a two-run double with two outs to break the Pioneers onto the scoreboard. After that, the team appeared to settle in and the runs came more freely.

“That hit really got us going,” Jameson said of Wright’s knock, which was part of a 3-for-3 game at the plate for the Pioneers’ first baseman.

Seth Gilmore added a pair of hits for the Pioneers in the victory. Cory Heny and Justin Lynn each added one hit.

“We’re still struggling a bit offensively,” Jameson said of the Pioneers’ seven-hit game. “It would have been nice to get the bat on the ball a little more. I’m a little concerned by the approach some of the guys took. We just went up there and were waving at pitches when we need to understand a little better what we want to do when we’re up to bat.”

Powell’s hopes for a doubleheader sweep were dashed atop the rocks of a 13-walk pitching performance in the nightcap. Fueled by the abundance of free passes, the Cardinals escaped back to Billings with a 9-5 win.

“To be honest, we were lucky that it was only 9-5,” said Jameson. “When you give up 13 walks and only nine runs, you’re getting off light.”

Many of those free passes came early as Pioneer starter Frankie Vogt struggled with his control. Vogt allowed just three hits and struck out three in two and one-third innings, but allowed nine walks in that timeframe, leading to six Cardinal runs.

Ty Whiteman tagged in and got the Pioneers through the fourth inning, allowing two more runs on a hit and two walks. Whiteman struck out one batter. Gilmore tossed the final three innings for Powell, striking out four and walking a pair while only allowing one hit.

Offensively, the Pioneers struggled trying to play catch-up from their early deficit. Vogt had a hit and two runs scored. Gilmore addd a pair of hits as part of a 2-for-4 performance that included an RBI. Wright continued to produce in his first season with the Pioneers, driving in a pair of runs with a hit and Lynn finished 1-for-2 with a double.

Powell also struck out nine times in the game.

“Again, we need to put some more balls in play,” said Jameson. “We’re getting ourselves out rather than forcing the other team to make a play.”

The doubleheader split moves Powell to 3-5 on the young American Legion baseball season. Powell was to have played four games over the span of three days in Billings, but that weekend tournament was canceled early Saturday morning when tournament officials decided existing rain, plus the promise of additional showers for the next three days, would render it almost impossible to get any baseball action in.

“The field down here was in good shape,” Jameson said. “We had guys from the city who were willing to come in and prepare it for play. The umpires were willing to give up the holiday and come in to work. It worked out good.”

The Pioneers will stay at home for their next action. Powell hosts Sheridan this Sunday in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. The team opens conference play on Tuesday with a twinbill against Lovell. Those games start at 5:30 p.m.