Pioneers fall in title game

Posted 6/29/10

The Pioneers' struggles at the plate squandered another beautiful pitching performance from Josh Cragoe who lost despite throwing a two-hitter. Cragoe held the Billings Select lineup scoreless until a fifth-inning pick-off attempt sailed into the …

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Pioneers fall in title game

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{gallery}06_29_10/carter{/gallery}\Auston Carter is all smiles as he returns to the dugout following a go-ahead home run in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Billings Blue Jays on Friday night. Carter's blast proved to be the game-winner as Powell notched a 4-2 victory on the way to an undefeated performance in pool play.Tribune photos by Randal Horobik After spotless pool play, bats silencedThe Powell Pioneers American Legion baseball team settled for runner-up honors at the 2010 Heavy Metal Classic baseball tournament on Sunday. After a perfect 4-0 performance in pool play, the Pioneers came up on the short side of a 2-0 loss to Billings Select in Sunday's title game.“We didn't make the adjustments we needed to at the plate,” said Pioneers coach Mike Jameson, who saw his team strike out 12 times in the championship game. “We didn't get their pitcher out of his rhythm.”

The Pioneers' struggles at the plate squandered another beautiful pitching performance from Josh Cragoe who lost despite throwing a two-hitter. Cragoe held the Billings Select lineup scoreless until a fifth-inning pick-off attempt sailed into the outfield, allowing the Select team to score a runner from second on the error.

Billings added a solo home run in the sixth inning to wrap up the scoring.

Cragoe and Colter Bostick each had a pair of hits in the game and Powell enjoyed multiple chances with runners in scoring position, but could not connect.

The team's best chance probably came in the fifth inning as Cragoe connected for a two-out single, stole second and continued to third base as the Select defense abandoned the bag.

That put the potential tying run 90 feet from scoring with Scotty Jameson, one of two Pioneer batters hitting better than .500 this season, to the plate. Billings was able to coax an out from the Pioneers' shortstop, however, to avert the threat and maintain the shutout.

Powell's offensive struggles in the championship game were out of character with the team's performance in pool play. The Pioneers earned their place in Sunday's title game with relative ease, winning three of four preliminary games via run-rule stoppage.

Powell opened with an 8-0 win over Billings Select. Jameson fanned eight while allowing just two hits in the win. Bostick connected for a first-inning grand slam to ignite Powell's scoring. Grant Geiser added a 3-for-3 showing while Colt Nix went 2-for-3 at the plate.

The Pioneers' only preliminary game to go the distance came on Friday night as the team eked out a 4-2 victory over the Billings Blue Jays. Auston Carter and Bostick connected on back-to-back solo home runs in the sixth inning to provide the winning margin.

The late-game fireworks came moments after the Pioneers extracted themselves from a bases-loaded situation with nobody out in the top half of the sixth inning. An infield fly and the Pioneers' third double play of the contest helped starting pitcher Grant Geiser earn the victory. Jake Beuster threw the final three outs for his first save of the year.

“That was just a good baseball game,” said Pioneer coach Mike Jameson. “Both teams played good ball. It was a fun game to be a part of.”

The Pioneers also produced a pair of Saturday routs, dispatching Jackson by a 12-0 count before roughing up Douglas by a 22-2 final score. Bostick threw a no-hitter in the win over Jackson.

“He was one walk away from getting a perfect game,” said Mike Jameson.

Cragoe went 3-for-3 in the contest, as did Geiser, who finished with three RBIs. Bostick helped his own cause, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs at the plate. Bostick struck out three Jackson batters as Powell recorded its third win in as many meetings this season against the conference foe.

The Pioneers wrapped up pool play with a 22-2 thrashing of Douglas. Powell pounded out 18 hits in the contest.

Scotty Jameson was 4-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. Geiser went one better with a home run and five RBIs on a 3-for-3 showing. Colt Nix was 2-for-2 and Gage Henderson came through with a two-run double.

“Everyone contributed,” said Mike Jameson. “Up and down the lineup, it was one of those games where everyone found a way to help us out.”

The Billings Blue Jays defeated Jackson 12-2 in a six-inning affair to win Sunday's consolation game.

The Pioneers return to action on Tuesday night with a nine-inning conference game in Cody. The two teams will play a return game in Powell the following night. First pitch in both games is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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