Volunteers Return Home From USA Stadium 2-1
Your Pioneers return home with a 2-1 record after a successful road trip to Millington, TN. Vol State looked to be cruising behind sophomore Drew Hall in game 1 on Friday taking a 2-1 lead into the 9th. Hall went 6.1 innings only giving up one run, while striking out 3 and only giving up 1 walk vs Johnson County. But, along came the toughest three outs in the game; the ninth inning didn't go the Pioneers way as the Cavaliers plated two and held on in the bottom half to give Vol State their first loss of the season with a final 3-2.
Game 2 on Saturday morning had a tournament like feel to it as Vol State drew the visiting dugout vs the storied program of Jefferson County aka JeffCo. The Pioneers jumped out early to a 2-0 lead in the first as Alex Lyon got things started with a single and scored on a Jake Lyle single. Lyle then stole 2nd and ended up on third with a passed ball. Luke Jones walked and then a very heady move by him on a stolen base attempt to get in a run-down allowed Lyle to score from third. Collin Hopkins highlighted the 2nd inning with a huge two out RBI double that one hopped the fence in the left center gap. James Hatcher started on the bump for the Pioneers and turned on auto pilot until the 7th giving up only one run while striking out three and walking no one. The 7th (7 inning game) provided more high stress moments on the young season as Hatcher gave up two runs to make the score 4-3 Vol State and the tying run on 3rd and winning run on 2nd with one out. Coach Hunt made the move to the bullpen giving the ball to Chase Douglas. Douglas got the first guy on a comebacker to himself for the 2nd out and then recorded a strike out looking to end the game in thrilling fashion.
Game 3 starter Jacob Cole went 5 dominant innings. He struck out six hitters, only allowed three hits and walked one to get the win. The Volunteers took the lead in the 2nd with an RBI from Eddie McDaniels. McDaniels then followed that up with a stolen base and a very crafty move before getting tagged out because of coming off the bag at second; he got up and took off to third allowing Matt Brown to score while getting the defense stuck in a pickle. The Pioneers plated two more in the 5th and held on to a 4-1 win.
Vol State returns for their Home Opener set for Friday, February 17th at 3:30 vs Moraine Valley.