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Despite a slow start to the season, the Powell Pioneers C team had a strong turnaround following its home tournament — finishing undefeated in conference play at 12-0 and finishing the regular …
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Despite a slow start to the season, the Powell Pioneers C team had a strong turnaround following its home tournament — finishing undefeated in conference play at 12-0 and finishing the regular season by winning 11 of the last 12 games heading into the postseason.
In the conference season the Pioneers’ bats were rolling, outscoring opponents with 137 runs compared to 39 runs allowed throughout the season.
Coach Hunter Christner attested his team’s ability to play strong late in the season to the team’s difficult schedule early in the year that saw the Pioneers with a 7-10 record after their home tournament at the start of June.
“We took all four Lander conference games at the start of the year and then played some tough teams that slowed us down record wise,” Christner said. “I think the boys learned a lot playing those tougher teams and it prepared them for the second half of the season.”
Christner said the tough teams early on prepared the Pioneers for the second half of the year that included a 10-game win streak that was recently snapped at the end of the year against Gillette.
The Pioneers wrapped up their regular season play at a Gillette tournament, finishing 4-1 and in third place while squaring off with potential opponents at the state tournament this weekend.
The Pioneers’ first opponent at the state tournament is Laramie, which Powell defeated 11-3 and 11-6 in Gillette. The state matchup is Thursday (today) at 4 p.m. in Douglas with the Pioneers being the No. 1 seed out of the northwest quadrant and the Rangers the No. 2 seed out of the southeast quadrant.
“We got to see some of their best stuff. We won, we battled and came out on top,” Christner said. “I wouldn’t say that it was easy but we just need to take that same approach we have been taking all year to beat good teams so we can get past there and see what’s next.”
Christner said that the team is playing with a lot of confidence right now, as the bats, pitching and defense have continued to improve throughout the year.
“They know they are playing some tough teams but they know they are ready to play these tough teams,” Christner said.
If the Pioneers defeat Laramie they will play at 7 p.m. on Friday against the winner of Jackson and Douglas; if Powell loses it will drop down to the consolation bracket against the loser of Jackson and Douglas on Friday at 1 p.m.
