Final Road Swing Ends in Loss
By: Nick Kieser
GALLATIN, TENNESSEE — The Volunteer State Community College Pioneer baseball program has been swept for a second time in a row after visiting Motlow State Community College on Monday, April 22.
Game one at Motlow the Pioneers started pitcher Jack Sensing who made his ninth start of the Spring and was handed his fourth loss doing so. He totaled three innings for five hits, five runs, and threw for three strikeouts.
Beginning the game Judd Sparks hit a sacrifice fly to score in Lane Harris but the next inning it went in favor of the Motlow Bucks. Going on a five-run rally the Bucks were able to pull ahead and take the first game 8-3. Justin St. Amour scored in the last run breaking an 11 game streak of not scoring in any runs.
Without the support of the batters, the Pioneers were not able to pull away in game one, however, in due time the Pioneers have seemed to find their stride when the hitting is absolutely needed.
Corey Wilson started game two and made it all the way through six innings totaling five hits allowed, one run scored, and three strikeouts. Wilson now has a 4-6 record this season as a Pioneer.
The one run that was allowed was a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning. Nathan Sanders hit the long bomb for his third of the year and second against Vol State this year. With the back-to-back sweeps, the Pioneers now sit in eighth place.
"It's tough but we just have to keep walking away and learning from it. All it takes is that one play we haven't had yet and I think that's coming soon. I feel like we didn't have as much energy as we usually do," said Wilson following his tenth start of the season.
Logan Walters the starting pitcher for Bucks had no hits allowed but did walk Lofton Cotton. Walters had a total of seven innings pitched, no hits allowed, and nine strikeouts. Before the conference series against Chattanooga State, the Pioneers have worked on the hitting and the results could show up this weekend.
"I gave us a chance and we just couldn't capitalize. We have to get the momentum going our way before the tournament, and once we get in it'll be open from there. The tournament will be special for the sophomores and a good experience for the freshmen," said Wilson.
The Pioneers will have their Sophomore Series starting at 2 p.m. Friday for a nine-inning contest and a doubleheader Saturday starting at noon. Follow the baseball program on Twitter @VSCCPioneersBSB for all the latest and news and analysis.