Royals Take One From Pioneers in Non-Conference Matchup

Royals Take One From Pioneers in Non-Conference Matchup- Wil Teague, Sports Inforamtion Director, 3/13/25

The Pioneers split today's road doubleheader against the Royals of Ecclesia College, dropping game one via run rule, before holding on to force a split with a game two win. 

Game 1 (5-Innings)

Crowley's Ridge- 2

Ecclesia College 10

Springdale, Ark.- After run-ruling Rust College in both contests on Tuesday of this week, the Lady Pioneers would face the receiving end of one, having the Royals claim the contest in the same format thanks to a never-ending first inning for the Pioneers. The Royals poured on the runs in the opening inning of game one, taking advantage of three walks from the Pioneer Pitching staff and two errors by the Pioneer defense which allowed nine runners across the plate. Ecclesia College extended their lead to double digits with a one-out sac fly in the third before the Pioneers responded with their only runs of the game with back-to-back pinch-hit RBI singles from Cloey Miller and Alyssa Dirden in the top of the fourth. The Pioneer offense rallied 6 hits, Karsen Overshine led the team going 3 for 3. Senior Halea Wells took the loss, allowing 7 runs (3 earned) off 3 hits. 

Game 2 

Crowley's Ridge- 6

Ecclesia College- 2

Springdale, Ark.- The afternoon's second contest would stretch the standard 7-innings with the Pioneers holding out to force the doubleheader split against the Royals. The Pioneers increased their offensive production, seeing 4 more hits in game two, lifting the Pioneers back into the double-digit hit category. Crowley's Ridge scored 6 runs off their 10 hits with the Pioneers pushing 3 runs to the plate in the first and second innings. In the top of the first, Bailey Cupples gave the Pioneers their first run with an RBI single to right field, scoring Hadlee DeFries who opened the game with a standup triple. Two batters later senior Kourtni Jagneaux connected with her second longball of the season with the Louisiana native sending a two-run homer over the left field fence to lift CRC ahead 3-0. The Pioneers added three more in the next frame with DeFries scoring Jordan Janak with a groundout, a Royal error scoring Maddie Burris, and a single by Lilly Wessel taking care of the third run to give CRC their biggest lead of the day. Ecclesia College snuck two runs to the plate in the game, responding to the Pioneer attack with a sole run in the bottom half of the third and a second run in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run to left field. Fortunately, with the Pioneer defense remaining firm, The Royals would have to settle for the series split. Kourtni Jagneaux and Lilly Wessel had two hits in the bounce-back win. Jagneaux led the team going 2 for 3 with an HR and 2 RBIs. Natalie Brightwell earned her fourth win of the year, tossing 5.0 innings, allowing 1 run (0 earned), walking 3, and striking out 5 in the win. 

Up Next: The Lady Pioneers will change places with the Royals, hosting Ecclesia College at Pioneer Park this Monday, March 17th for a doubleheader matchup. #GOPIONEERS