{gallery}05_14_09/pioneers{/gallery}Scotty Jameson, shown here pitching against Cody last summer, is one of three two-time all-state selections back in uniform this summer for the American Legion Post 26 Powell Pioneers. The Pioneers play an alumni fundraiser game this Sunday at 4 p.m. before opening the season May 23 in Billings. Tribune file photoFundraiser provides first look at ‘09 rosterThe Powell Pioneers will take the diamond for the first time in 2009 this Sunday for a 4 p.m. game against alumni of the program. Twelve former members of the Pioneers' roster will suit up to provide the competition. “I think we have the potential to be very good this season,” said Jeff Young, coach of the Pioneers. “It's a long season and a lot can happen, but I feel good about what we have coming back this year.”

A quick glance at the roster provides plenty of reason for that optimism. The Pioneers posted a 33-21 mark last summer. This year, they return a trio of two-year all-state players in Gianluca Giarrizzo, Scotty Jameson and Grant Geiser.

Giarrizzo recently signed a letter of intent with Lewis and Clark College in Oregon to play collegiate baseball. He led the team with a .504 batting average and struck out just six times in 204 at-bats.

Jameson was the staff ace and has received numerous college looks after approaching 90 miles per hour with some of his pitches last year.

“We're hoping to get him up to around 92 (m.p.h.) this season,” said Young.

Jameson posted a 10-4 record a year ago, striking out 108 in just 69 innings of work. Like Giarrizzo, Jameson also hit better than .500 last summer, driving home a team-best 73 runs.

Geiser was also a regular on the mound for Powell last summer, pitching 63 innings and notching four wins. Geiser was a .446 batter, finishing the summer second on the team in RBI.

The Pioneers also bring back Matt Baggott, Andrew Young, Auston Carter and Tyler Dahlgren from last year's team. Dallas Robirds, who had just five at-bats last summer before suffering an ACL injury, has healed and should provide a boost as well.

Newcomers to the Pioneers' roster this summer include Colten Bostick, Matt McArthur, Jake Beuster, Colt Nix, Tyler England and Josh Cragoe.

The Pioneers officially open the season May 23-25 as part of the Billings tournament field. The home opener comes May 26 with a doubleheader against Lovell. The team will also host the Blue Jays for a May 30 twinbill.

Local baseball fans might want to block off those dates on the calendar if they wish to see the Pioneers. Powell won't play another home contest until June 23.

Home fans will be able to provide the team with a momentum boost heading into July's district tournament though.

Four of Powell's final five doubleheaders on the calendar will take place at Homesteader Park.

Fans should also be aware of one key change dealing with the baseball post-season this summer. Due to the dwindling number of AA teams in Wyoming, all of the state's baseball teams will compete as one division this summer.

“I understand why they needed to do it this way, but I'm concerned it might cause some of the smaller programs in the state to fold,” said Young.

The winner of the state tournament will receive Wyoming's berth in the regional AA tournament. The highest-placing A team will still advance to that division's regional tournament.

“It's nice because you have two chances to get to regionals,” said Young. “If you win, you can go as the AA representative. On the other hand, if the AA's finish one-two-three, you can finish fourth at state and still advance.”

Young also notes the change will put a premium on seeding.