Pioneers season ends at state

The team consistently improved over the course of the season

Posted 8/6/20

Less than 24 hours removed from the Powell Pioneers’ first defeat of the state tournament, they lost again on Monday, falling to the Torrington Tigers and ending their 2020 season.

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Pioneers season ends at state

The team consistently improved over the course of the season

Posted

Less than 24 hours removed from the Powell Pioneers’ first defeat of the state tournament, they lost again on Monday, falling to the Torrington Tigers and ending their 2020 season.

The final score was 7-3, fueled by a strong effort on the hill from the visiting Tigers’ pitching staff.

Powell started out hot, crossing the plate three times in the first inning and taking an early 3-1 lead. But the Pioneers were unable to score after that frame, recording just six hits the entire game.

Torrington’s Jackson Jones paved the way for the Tigers’ win, throwing six innings and allowing just five hits and zero earned runs.

“Their pitcher threw well …,” head coach Joe Cates said. “He never gave in. He made us hit his pitch.”

Offensively, the Pioneers were able to put balls in play, but most of them were ultimately snagged in a strong defensive effort from Torrington. Brock Johnson and Cade Queen were the only Pioneers to record multiple hits.

“We battled at the plate, just things we needed to fall didn’t fall,” Cates said. “We just didn’t have it in the cards today.”

With the loss, Powell finished the season 15-18 overall -- vast improvement from its 6-26 campaign a year ago. The Pioneers won the district championship and swept several series, among other accomplishments.

Two Powell seniors, Colin Queen and Cameron Wentz, have now finished their American Legion baseball careers.

Queen finished the 2020 season with a .505 batting average and a 1.89 ERA, both of which are team bests. Wentz also posted strong numbers this year, with a .280 batting average and a 5.34 ERA.

When the Pioneers’ 2021 season comes around, those two will be missed.

“Colin [Queen] is the best kid I’ve had through the program as far as his drive, work ethic and how good he is,” Cates said. “Cameron [Wentz] has been a quiet leader for the team all year long. He leads by example; he’s not too outspoken. We’re going to miss both of those guys.”

Though a 1-2 showing at state wasn’t the team’s goal, there is plenty to celebrate for Cates and his squad. The team consistently improved over the course of the season and posted its best record in several years.

And they’re just getting started: The Pioneers will return 13 of their 15 players next year.

“I have a great team that I’m excited about,” Cates said. “I have a young team, and I expect to win a couple titles here soon.”

 

Torrington 1  5 0 0  1 0 0  R7 H9 E3

Powell 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 R3 H6 E4

Powell Pioneers

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