Pioneers take first two from Eutectics in 4-game weekend series

PARAGOULD, AR- The Eutectics put up a strong fight on the road but ultimately fell short on the first day against Crowley's Ridge as they began their four-game AMC series. In a 5-2 loss in game one, the Pioneers had a three-run second to take the lead for good. In the second game, despite trailing 8-0 through four innings, UHSP mounted an impressive comeback effort scoring five runs in the final frame to close the gap, but ultimately fell short in a 9-7 loss

GAME 1 HIGHLIGHTS:

CROWLEY'S RIDGE 5, UHSP 2

• The Eutectics jumped ahead early in the first inning, capitalizing on aggressive baserunning. Brandon Gibbs doubled to lead off the game and eventually stole home to put UHSP on the board, followed by Ethan Harrell's RBI single that drove in Jacob Grim, giving UHSP a 2-0 lead.
• Crowley's Ridge responded with three in the bottom of the second. Rilyn Coleman was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. He eventually scored on an error by UHSP and Matthew Parker followed with a two-run single up the middle giving CRC a 3-2 lead.
• Crowley's Ridge continued to add on, taking a 4-2 lead in the fourth inning with an RBI infield single from James Wilson.
• A solo home run in the sixth by Matthew Parker sealed the game for Crowley's Ridge, bringing the final score to 5-2.
• The Eutectics recorded five hits on the day, with contributions from Gibbs, Holden Campbell, Ethan Harrell, Deklan Riggs and Ruben Ogando.
• UHSP ace Barrett Lohman got the start and did strikeout five, but allowed five runs over eight hits in six innings and suffered the loss (3-3).
• Matthew Parker went 3-for-3 and drove in three in the win for the Pioneers.

GAME 2 HIGHLIGHTS:

CROWLEY'S RIDGE 9, UHSP 7

• Crowley's Ridge built an early lead, scoring in the first inning on an RBI single by Wilson and adding three more in the third after two costly errors and RBI single from Clay Burgess.
• A two-run homer in the fourth by Parker and another two-run single from Burgess extended the Pioneers' advantage to 8-0.
• The Eutectics broke through in the fifth with Matthew McDonald launching a solo home run and four batters later Ethan Harrell followed with an RBI walk to cut the deficit to 8-2.
• Wilson had four RBI's in the game and drove in CRC's final run in the sixth, making it 9-2 heading into the final inning.
• UHSP's offense exploded in the seventh, beginning with a Jacob Grim RBI double. Deklan Riggs followed with an RBI single, and Caden Buxton capped off the rally with a three-run homer to left field, bringing the score to 9-7.
• UHSP tallied 11 hits, with standout performances from McDonald (3-for-4, HR, RBI) and Buxton (1-for-4, HR, 3 RBI). Holden Campbell and Deklan Riggs each had two hits.
• The top four in CRC's lineup each had two hits.
• Pitcher Kyle Smith took the loss for UHSP, allowing eight runs (five earned) over 3.1 innings, while Logan Stribling and Brayden Steves provided solid relief, holding the opponent to just one run over the final two-and-two-thirds innings.

NEXT UP:

The Eutectics (10-19, 6-12 AMC) will look to bounce back as they continue their four-game series against Crowley's Ridge (6-22, 6-12). Tristan Calmes is expected to get the ball to open the Saturday doubleheader. Game three of the series is set for Saturday at 1:00 p.m. with the second game to follow at 4:00 p.m. The Eutectics return home after that for a 7:00 p.m. home date against Maranatha Baptist.