Bats were flying, memories were made and hearts were broken over five days in Sheridan — where the Powell Pioneers came out on top with their first state title since 2010 after a pair of hard-fought victories over the rival Cody Cubs on Sunday.

Early on the Pioneers appeared to be cruising after a 7-1 victory over Sheridan and a 9-2 victory over Casper, but they ran into a buzzsaw against Cody on Friday in a 17-0 loss. Powell rebounded to defeat Douglas 13-12 on Saturday to reach the championship series, before defeating Cody 7-6 in 10 innings and 16-14 to claim the Class ‘A’ State Championship on Sunday.

“It means everything. We knew since day one that we could get the job done,” Jhett Schwahn said. “These boys are amazing, all credit to them.”

The Pioneers now advance to the Northwest Class ‘A’ Regional Tournament starting on Friday in Havre, Montana.

    

POWELL 7, SHERIDAN 1

The long journey in Sheridan kicked off last Wednesday, with the Pioneers (46-18) starting their pursuit of a state title against the host Jets (18-33).

Despite being in Sheridan, Powell acted as the home team on the scoreboard and got ahead in the bottom of the first.

Brock Johnson led off with a double, and Schwahn joined him on base after being hit by a pitch.

Johnson was later out on an appeal on a tag out at third, and Trey Stenerson singled with two outs.

Aidan Wantulok walked to load the bases, and Ryan Cordes walked to score a run and make it 1-0.

Powell got another run in the second, when three straight singles by Jacob Gibson, Johnson and Schwahn brought in a run and made it 2-0.

Cade Queen followed with a double and scored another, before a Stenerson ground out capped off the scoring in the inning with Powell leading 4-0.

Sheridan cut the lead to 4-1 in the top of the fourth with three singles.

Powell had an answer, when Johnson singled and Schwahn singled to advance Johnson to third to put runners on the corners with no outs.

A Queen sac fly scored Johnson to make it 5-1.

Powell got its final runs in the bottom of the sixth, when Johnson led off with a walk and stole second.

Queen hit into an error, allowing Johnson to score and make it 6-1.

Stenerson hit into another error for Sheridan, finishing off the scoring at 7-1.

“You gotta win that first one,” manager Jason Borders said. “If not, you’re a loser out the rest of the way. I felt like we came in and did what we always do.”

Powell outhit Sheridan 10-6 while committing no errors to Sheridan’s three.

Gibson, Aiden Greenwald and Ethan Welch combined to give up six hits in the contest.

Queen led the way with three RBIs, while Schwahn, Stenerson and Cordes each had one.

   

POWELL 9, CASPER 2

The victory Wednesday advanced the Pioneers in the winners’ bracket, setting up a second round matchup with Casper (29-20-2) for the second year in a row.

“It was a totally different team than we played last year,” Borders said. “They went into it the same way they went into the Sheridan game.”

The Pioneers continued their trend in the bottom of the first.

Johnson walked to lead off, but was out on a fielder’s choice on Schwahn’s hit.

Queen stepped up and hit a double to score Schwahn, and Stenerson kept the ball rolling with a double of his own to make it 2-0.

Stenerson advanced to third on a wild pitch before a Wantulok ground out scored him to make it 3-0.

The Drillers answered back in the top of the second, when an error followed by two singles loaded the bases with no outs.

A single brought in two runs, but Powell escaped with limited damage and maintain a 3-2 lead.

Powell answered when Dalton Worstell got on through an error.

He advanced on a sac bunt by Gibson, and scored on a two out triple by Johnson to make it 4-2.

Powell got some insurance in the fourth, when Cordes walked to lead off and Gibson joined him on a four ball walk with one out.

Welch singled to load the bases, and Johnson singled to score a run, but Gibson was out advancing to third.

Schwahn singled to score one more but was out on a baserunning error to end the inning with Powell ahead 6-2.

Three walks saw Queen, Stenerson and Cordes all get on base with only one out in the bottom of the fifth.

A Worstell sac fly scored a run, and a walk to Gibson reloaded the bases.

Welch was hit by a pitch to score a run, giving Powell an 8-2 lead.

Powell got its final run in the bottom of the sixth, when Schwahn got on through an error.

Schwahn advanced on a balk, before a Stenerson double brought him in to make it 9-2.

Powell was able to overcome the disappointing loss from last season when Casper scored six in the seventh in a come from behind victory and walked away with the 9-2 victory.

Worstell, Stenerson and Welch combined to give up six hits on the mound with only one earned run while combining for eight strikeouts.

“I basically studied what the ‘AA’ teams were doing and noticed the first couple days they throw three guys,” Borders said.

Johnson and Stenerson each had two RBIs, while Schwahn, Queen, Wantulok, Worstell and Welch each had one.

    

CODY 17, POWELL 0

That victory ensured the Pioneers advanced to the winners’ bracket semifinals on Friday night in another Park County duel against the Cody Cubs (37-20-1).

Cody got things started early, and scored a run through a single and a double with one out before a 30 minute lightning delay sent the teams to their respective dugouts.

The Cubs continued the hot start when the teams returned, extending the lead through a player hit by a pitch, a wild pitch scoring a run and another runner scoring on a passed ball to make it 3-0 after the first inning.

“I don’t think we matched the intensity,” Borders said. “They played with a little more fire than we did.”

Greenwald replaced Queen on the mound to start the second inning, as three walks and a double scored another run to get the scoring started.

A single and a fly out scored a pair of runs, before another walk and a single scored two runs to make it 8-0.

Two more walks scored another run, and Powell found itself on the wrong side of a 9-0 deficit after two innings.

Powell was unable to find runs, and another lightning delay after the third led to monsoonal rains that delayed the game further.

Jordan Loera replaced Greenwald for his first ‘A’ action on the mound, but Cody continued to pour on the scoring.

Two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases with one out, before a sac fly scored a run and made it 10-0.

Powell loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth through two hit batters and a walk, but was unable to bring in a run.

Cody extended the lead to 17-0 in the fifth and finished the first mercy rule defeat for the Pioneers this season.

“We haven’t been that bad in a baseball game the entire summer,” Borders said.

Powell was outhit 12-5, and gave up 11 walks to Cody’s one.

    

POWELL 13, DOUGLAS 12

The loss moved Powell down to the consolation bracket on Saturday, dropping to the semifinals in a matchup against the Douglas Cats (35-15).

Powell acted as the visiting team, and got on the board in the top of the first.

Schwahn was hit by a pitch, and advanced to second on a balk.

Queen singled to bring Schwahn in and Powell made it 1-0.

Douglas nearly had an answer in the bottom of the second, with the bases loaded, but a ground out ended the inning to keep it 1-0 before an explosive third inning changed the tide of the game.

Powell loaded the bases through a walk to Johnson and singles by Schwahn and Queen with no outs.

Stenerson singled and brought in two, and another Cordes single scored another and made it 4-0.

Stenerson scored on a steal home, and Gibson scored on a ground out.

Welch singled to bring in another, before Johnson walked with the score now 7-0.

Schwahn hit a two-run double, giving Powell a commanding 9-0 lead.

Douglas had an answer.

Four hits, three errors and two walked batters allowed Douglas to score seven runs before Powell recorded an out.

Another walk loaded the bases, before an error scored two more and in the blink of an eye the game was tied 9-9.

Another walk reloaded the bases, and a double cleared them and made it 12-9 in favor of the Cats.

“We booted the ball around quite a bit and gave them a chance,” Borders said.

Powell did not give up.

It took a couple of innings to regain their footing, but the Pioneers cut into the lead in the top of the sixth.

Queen and Stenerson were hit by pitches, and advanced on a fly out by Wantulok.

Queen scored on a wild pitch, cutting the lead to 12-10.

A pitching change in the top of the seventh gave Powell the opportunity to switch up its strategy.

Worstell singled to lead off with Greenwald and Welch getting walks.

Johnson grounded out to score one, before Douglas intentionally walked Schwahn to load the bases with one out.

Queen followed with a walk to bring in the tying run, and Stenerson hit a sac fly to give Powell the 13-12 lead.

“Other than that Cody game this team is resilient,” Borders said. “It always seems like they’ve answered when they get punched in the nose.”

Needing to close out the game the Pioneers brought Johnson to the mound in the bottom of the sixth, and attempted to keep his pitch count low.

Johnson was able to get the Pioneers out of the contest, but at a cost. He went one pitch over the amount allowed for him to compete Sunday in the championship contests.

“I feel like I made the right move,” Borders said. “Some people might second guess it but I didn’t want to put another kid in that situation. I put my money on that horse to finish it and get us out of there and he did.”

Despite giving up 12 runs, only four were charged as earned runs against Queen on the mound as Powell escaped to championship Sunday.

Stenerson had three RBIs, Schwahn and Queen had two each, while Johnson, Cordes, Gibson and Welch each had one.

    

POWELL 7, CODY 6 (F/10)

That victory gave Powell a shot at its first state title in 13 years, and another date with the Park County rival Cody Cubs.

Both teams struggled to find a run early, before Cody got on board through a pair of hits and a sac fly in the third to make it 1-0.

Welch’s single with one out got Powell going, while Schwahn and Queen were hit by pitches to load the bases with two outs.

Stenerson hit a line drive to center field to score a pair and give Powell a 2-1 lead.

Cody answered, with another pair of hits and a sac fly to tie the game 2-2.

Cordes walked to lead off the bottom of the fourth, and Worstell singled.

Greenwald hit a sac bunt to advance the runners, before a Welch sac fly scored one and made it 3-2 Powell.

A Johnson single scored Worstell, extending the Powell lead to 4-2.

Cody answered, when a single and two walks loaded the bases with one out, and a double scored a pair to tie the contest 4-4.

A fielder’s choice got the lead runner out heading home, but Cody got a run through a single to make it 5-4.

That saw Gibson’s day on the mound come to an end, bringing in Worstell in relief.

He struck out the final batter and Powell had a chance in the bottom of the fifth.

“I just went up there with a lot of confidence and knew we were capable,” Worstell said. “I was confident in the defense behind. We didn’t really have anything to lose.”

Queen was hit by a pitch to lead off, and Stenerson stepped up.

He hit a home run deep over the left field wall, giving Powell the 6-5 lead.

“It felt great bringing in Cade,” Stenerson said. “Both teams were hitting the ball going back and forth.”

That held through the sixth, and Powell tried to see out the lead.

An error, which put the leadoff runner on third, gave Cody life in the seventh, and a single scored the tying run.

Worstell struck out two of the next three batters which gave Powell a chance to win in the bottom of the seventh.

In the bottom half Stenerson was hit by a pitch and stole second before an intentional walk put Wantulok on base.

A low hit ball to right field led to an out, and the lead runner at second was caught out on the throw to end the seventh.

Worstell continued to hold Cody at bay, but the Pioneers were unable to find the winning run.

“Dalton has been that guy all year,” Borders said. “When we throw him it’s always against somebody tough.”

In the bottom of the 10th, Cordes was hit by a pitch and Worstell hit a single before Greenwald was intentionally walked to load the bases.

Two straight outs on short fly balls held Powell short of a sac fly, and brought Schwahn to the plate.

He stepped up, and was hit by a pitch to score the winning run to keep Powell’s season alive with the 7-6 victory.

“The kid [Schwahn] is a freaking beast,” Borders said.

Worstell gave up one hit and had six strikeouts in 85 pitches of relief over five innings.

“I was hoping it would end a little bit earlier than that but we will take what we can get,” Worstell said.

Stenerson had four RBIs, while Johnson, Schwahn and Welch each had one.

     

POWELL 16, CODY 14

That victory gave the teams a short break, and a winner-take-all state championship game.

Cody got on the board first, when two hits and a walk loaded the bases before a double scored a pair and a sac fly scored another to make it 3-0 after the top of the first.

Powell answered back, when Johnson led off with a single and advanced to second on a ground out before a Stenerson single scored him and made it 3-1.

Wantulok doubled to bring in Stenerson after he stole second and made it 3-2 after the first.

Cody continued its offense early, through two walks and a hit batter, loading the bases with two outs.

A single scored a pair and Powell trailed 5-2.

Just like Friday, the game was sent into a lightning delay. This time, the Pioneers benefited.

Worstell led off with a double, and Greenwald scored him on a single to cut the lead to 5-3.

Welch singled to get on, and Johnson singled to score one and make it 5-4.

Schwahn hit a sac fly to score another and tie the contest 5-5.

Stenerson singled to bring in Johnson and give Powell the 6-5 lead.

Neither team scored in the third, but the scoreless trend did not last.

With one out in the top of the fourth, a home run over the left field wall tied it up for Cody with both teams trying to break away.

Both teams were reaching deep in the pitching rotation after a long five day week, and the Cubs again took the lead.

A single, double and another single brought in two for Cody, but Powell found a huge rally in the bottom of the fifth down 8-6.

Cordes walked and Worstell reached on an error to put two on, before two straight outs put Powell in a jam.

Johnson stepped up, took a 1-2 pitch and sent it soaring over the wall for a three-run home run to make it 9-8 Powell.

“I’ve coached a long time but that might have been one of the biggest home runs hit when we needed it,” Borders said.

Schwahn was hit by a pitch and Queen doubled to score him and make it 10-8.

Two straight walks loaded the bases as Cody swapped pitchers.

Queen scored on a passed ball, and a Cordes double scored two more to make it 13-8.

Worstell hit a single to score one, and Greenwald doubled to score one more and make it 15-8.

A hit batter and an error put two on for Cody in the top of the sixth, and a double scored both to make it 15-10.

A hit batter meant the end of the day for Welch on the mound, and Powell reached into the bullpen for Schwahn, and Cole Fauskee took Schwahn’s usual spot behind the plate.

“Ethan did amazing getting us to the spot where we were,” Schwahn said. “When I saw Ryan [Brown] ask me if I was good to go I didn’t hesitate … Everybody can go on the mound and throw. That’s something we pushed since day one of indoor practices was that everybody can get on the mound and throw strikes if they need to.”

Cody scored one on an error and made it 15-11.

A walk put another on, and a ground out scored one to bring Cody within three at 15-12.

Johnson walked to lead off the bottom half, and advanced on an error. Schwahn singled to score Johnson and make it 16-12.

That gave Powell an opportunity to finish the contest in the top of the seventh.

A single and a hit batter put two on with no outs, and a wild pitch advanced the runners before Schwahn struck out a batter.

A ground out gave Powell two outs, but a runner scored and made it 16-13.

A double scored one more to make it 16-14, before a fly out to Stenerson in center field set off celebrations for the Pioneers, who had just accomplished their third and final goal of the season.

“Going to a tournament like this we felt 100% confident in our staff, and our defense is the best in the state. That makes your staff that much better,” Schwahn said.

Johnson led the way with four RBIs, while Schwahn, Stenerson, Cordes and Greenwald each had two. Queen, Wantulok and Worstell all chipped in one RBI each.

“We wouldn’t have won those two games if it wasn’t for the whole team,” Borders said. 

    

SEASON CONTINUES

The celebrations began for the Pioneers on the way home, having achieved all three goals the team set before the season.

“Winning state championships is hard to do,” Borders said. “They are not easy … I don’t think a normal person understands how hard it is to get through that gauntlet … I can’t ask for a better team, it’s so special.”

The season will continue for the Pioneers at the regional tournament, as Powell kicks off the action against the state champions from Oregon at 1 p.m. on Friday. 

“We are going to try and win baseball games, but the big pressure is off,” Borders said.

Click here to see more photos or order prints