Pioneers edge out Lions

— The Pioneers came from behind on Thursday when up against the Lions in Gravette to take home a big win in the slugfest between the two rival teams.

Gentry jumped ahead in their first at-bat, picking up two runs, and built on that lead in the top of the second, being up 6-0.

But Gravette wasn’t to be silent. The Lions answered with 8 runs in the bottom of the second and held on to their 2-run lead until the fourth, when Gentry pickedup another three.

The Lions tied the game with a single run in the fifth and took a 2-run lead in the sixth.

But the Pioneers weren’t finished. They put three more runners across the plate in their last at-bat and then kept the Lions at bay in the bottom of the inning to take home a 12-11 victory in the conference game.

Three runs each were scored by Tanner Coy and Kolby Rankin. Josh Sewell crossed the plate twice. All three had two hits apiece.

Coy, Rankin, Austin Cochran and Tristan Glass each had two RBIs in thegame. Coy hit a home run. Rankin and Sewell had triples.

Nelson Watson began on the mound, with Chris Wiand and Coy also taking turns. Wiand picked up the win and Coy, a save.

In other play last week, the Pioneers beat the Hulbert Riders, 11-1, and lost to the Inola Longhorns, 7-4, in tournament play on Wednesday. The Kansas Comets finished the Pioneers, 11-2, in tournament play on Friday.

Gentry also lost its season-opener against Farmington on Tuesday of last week by a score of 5-3.

Sports, Pages 9 on 04/04/2012