Amidst a struggle, the battle continues

By: Nick Kieser

GALLATIN, TENNESSEE — Taking in a loss is different among each Vol State Pioneer baseball player. Dropping four games in a row is not planned and as for the start of the season goes this is something that needs to be snapped before conference play.

Since the 7-1 victory over Chattahoochee Valley, the Pioneers have lost the next two series to Moraine Valley and Wabash Valley Colleges.

The double-header against Moraine (Feb. 16) was the first two home games of the season. Game one saw Dalton Heath get his second start of the season but was pulled in the middle of the third inning allowing six runs on three hits. The end result, Moraine won game one 9-3.

Game two Brett Wilkins started and pitched four innings before Colin Kriminger came in to relive his teammate. Moraine poured on with the hits having seven while the Pioneers had Maddox Vonholden have the only RBI all game. Moraine swept the series on the road winning by a score of 5-2 in game two.

Due to inclement weather, the Pioneers canceled the next day with Moraine and was in the hunt for two make-up games. Wabash Valley met the Pioneers (Feb. 18) at Western Kentucky University to play a double-header for the make-up games.

Wabash swept the Pioneers extending the losing streak to four. Corey Wilson started the game for his second career start as a Pioneer having six innings pitched and allowed three hits for five total runs. Game one Wabash capitalized early in the third inning totaling three runs with a home run by Miguel Rivera.

"I had six strikeouts. We saw some of the best arms on the mound today and got hits off them just not at the time we wanted them. There's still time to improve before conference play," said Wilson after the series against Wabash.

Game two Wabash topped the Pioneers 6-3 and had nine hits. Vol State had eight hits to have a better chance to win. Bill Hamilton 2-4 hitting had the most hits on the team as the Pioneers absorbed the fourth consecutive loss.

"We didn't feel that we played that bad. Maybe had a few mistakes due to focus and mentality, but we did pretty well on the mound. Those guys throwing for Wabash were very good," said Justin St. Amour after the losses Monday to Wabash.

"At least we came out against Wabash and competed. We made a few mistakes here and there that cost us but at least the effort was there and the competitiveness was there which kind of eased my mood a little bit. It's still early and we're trying to get better each and every day," said head coach Ryan Hunt.

The Pioneers next games are Feb. 24-25 against Parkland College at home. One nine-inning game on Sunday 3 p.m. and a doubleheader on Monday that starts at noon.

Follow the baseball team on Twitter @VSCCPioneersBSB for more news and updates.