Busy weekend opens Legion seasonThe American Legion Post 26 Powell Pioneers made their 2009 home debut on Tuesday night with a doubleheader sweep of Lovell. The twinbill also marked the team's first conference action of the season and capped a hectic opening flurry that saw the squad play six games in a four-day span.Grant Geiser capped the first home game of the year in dramatic fashion with a two-run walk-off home run to give Post 26 a 9-7 victory in the opening contest with Lovell on Tuesday. The blast capped a five-run rally by the Pioneers and saved the win for starting pitcher Colter Bostick, who threw seven innings while striking out 10. Geiser was 4-for-5 in the contest with three runs and three RBI. Teammate Scotty Jameson went 2-for-4 with a three-run blast over the left field fence to help start Powell's comeback effort. After surrendering a run to Powell in the first inning, Lovell put its first five batters of the second inning safely on base. The hot start resulted in a six-run inning for the visitors. “That was a rough inning where a lot of our pitches were going right down the middle,” said Pioneers coach Jeff Young. “Colter did a good job of staying calm and recovering. His location was a lot better from the third inning on.”The nightcap saw less drama as Powell plated four runs in the first inning and led wire-to-wire in a 13-6 victory. Pioneer newcomer Colt Nix opened the game and threw into the fourth inning before giving way to Jameson. After surrendering a double to the first batter he faced, Jameson was nearly flawless. The Pioneers' ace fanned eight in four innings of work. Lovell managed just two base runners off Jameson, one of which was the result of the Pioneers' fourth error of the contest. “We need to do a better job of helping our pitchers,” Young said. “Colt threw a good game, but we didn't help him by making plays in the field behind him.”Each of Powell's nine starters recorded at least one hit in the nightcap, including a 5-for-5 performance by Geiser. Tyler Dahlgren, Auston Carter and Josh Cragoe each drove home two runs. The doubleheader followed a weekend appearance at a Billings tournament. The Pioneers won two of four games in the three-day event with wins against the Big Leaguers (15-5) and the Halos (9-5). Powell's losses came against the defending Montana Class A champion Blue Jays (8-5) and to the Cardinals (8-7 in nine innings). “We're still learning and we're improving,” said Young. “Monday was really the first time we had all the kids together in one spot. Our chemistry is good. We just need more time on the field as a unit. Give us a month, and I think we'll be a very good team.”Powell hosts the Blue Jays on Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. The team travels to face the Halos on Sunday. Saturday's game marks the last home appearance by the Pioneers until June 23.

Busy weekend opens Legion season

The American Legion Post 26 Powell Pioneers made their 2009 home debut on Tuesday night with a doubleheader sweep of Lovell. The twinbill also marked the team's first conference action of the season and capped a hectic opening flurry that saw the squad play six games in a four-day span.

Grant Geiser capped the first home game of the year in dramatic fashion with a two-run walk-off home run to give Post 26 a 9-7 victory in the opening contest with Lovell on Tuesday. The blast capped a five-run rally by the Pioneers and saved the win for starting pitcher Colter Bostick, who threw seven innings while striking out 10.

Geiser was 4-for-5 in the contest with three runs and three RBI. Teammate Scotty Jameson went 2-for-4 with a three-run blast over the left field fence to help start Powell's comeback effort.

After surrendering a run to Powell in the first inning, Lovell put its first five batters of the second inning safely on base. The hot start resulted in a six-run inning for the visitors.

“That was a rough inning where a lot of our pitches were going right down the middle,” said Pioneers coach Jeff Young. “Colter did a good job of staying calm and recovering. His location was a lot better from the third inning on.”

The nightcap saw less drama as Powell plated four runs in the first inning and led wire-to-wire in a 13-6 victory.

Pioneer newcomer Colt Nix opened the game and threw into the fourth inning before giving way to Jameson. After surrendering a double to the first batter he faced, Jameson was nearly flawless.

The Pioneers' ace fanned eight in four innings of work. Lovell managed just two base runners off Jameson, one of which was the result of the Pioneers' fourth error of the contest.

“We need to do a better job of helping our pitchers,” Young said. “Colt threw a good game, but we didn't help him by making plays in the field behind him.”

Each of Powell's nine starters recorded at least one hit in the nightcap, including a 5-for-5 performance by Geiser. Tyler Dahlgren, Auston Carter and Josh Cragoe each drove home two runs.

The doubleheader followed a weekend appearance at a Billings tournament. The Pioneers won two of four games in the three-day event with wins against the Big Leaguers (15-5) and the Halos (9-5). Powell's losses came against the defending Montana Class A champion Blue Jays (8-5) and to the Cardinals (8-7 in nine innings).

“We're still learning and we're improving,” said Young. “Monday was really the first time we had all the kids together in one spot. Our chemistry is good. We just need more time on the field as a unit. Give us a month, and I think we'll be a very good team.”

Powell hosts the Blue Jays on Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. The team travels to face the Halos on Sunday. Saturday's game marks the last home appearance by the Pioneers until June 23.