An experienced, strong Powell Pioneer ‘B’ team will head down to Torrington starting today (Thursday), eyeing a state title after a strong regular season.

To date the Pioneers boast a 19-11 record, only losing three games to Wyoming opposition the entire season.

“Overall it’s been a great season,” manager Ryan Brown said. “We had a bunch of canceled games we’ve had to deal with.”

Two of those losses came to Park County rival Cody, while the other was to the Buffalo ‘A’ team in which the Pioneers split two matchups.

“We went to an ‘A’ tournament and competed in that event in Dillon, Montana. We went 2-2, one of the teams we played was a ‘AA’ team and we held our own,” Brown said.

Ending the regular season the Pioneers made the trip to Billings, taking part in the Post 4 End of the Year Tournament.

Powell defeated Billings Post 4 Blue 12-6 the first day before losing to the Belgrade Bandits 5-1, Gallatin Valley Posse 6-5 and Post 4 Legion Red 15-0.

The Pioneer ‘B’ team is led in hitting by Ryan Barrus who has 42 hits and a .462 hitting percentage, driving in 29 runs with an on base percentage of .546.

“Ryan has done everything we have asked,” Brown said.

Just behind him in average is Rowan Diaz with a .457 average, recording 21 hits and 14 RBIs.

Kolby Gates has a .391 average, recording 36 hits and 39 RBIs while having the lone home run for the season for the ‘B’ team.

On the mound, Gates has the most innings pitched for the team at 40-2/3 innings, with an ERA of 2.582 with 37 strikeouts.

Just behind Gates in pitching is Caden Diaz, who has pitched 38 innings and has a 2.579 ERA.

He has given up only 24 hits and leads the team with 57 strikeouts.

“Caden has played third base and pitched his whole life, we threw him in the outfield and he’s a natural out there,” Brown said.

Powell heads to Torrington this weekend to take part in the state tournament as the second seed, with the Pioneers first opponent being the seventh seeded Gillette Prep Renegades (17-33).

Powell heads in on a three game losing streak and is 4-6 in its last 10, while Gillette has lost three of its last four but is 5-5 in its last 10.

That game will start at 4 p.m. today (Thursday).

If the Pioneers win, they will advance to play the winner of the No. 3 seeded Riverton Raiders (4-22) and the No. 6 seeded Sheridan Cavalry (27-19) at 7 p.m. Friday.

If they lose, the Pioneers will take on the loser of that contest at 1 p.m. on Friday.

“A lot of the teams I don’t know anything about,” Brown said. “I have confidence in these kids to do a great job.”

The double elimination tournament will run through Sunday and potentially Monday if a second championship game is needed.

“They know what is expected of them,” Brown said. “It’s a fun group, I’ve had more fun coaching this year than I’ve ever had in my 30 years … My assistant coach Cory Nuss, I’ve had more fun coaching with this guy than anyone ever. His heart is all Powell, he wants nothing more than to see these kids succeed.”

CLASS ‘B’ STATE TOURNAMENT

THURSDAY

Game 1: 7 p.m. No. 1 Casper vs. No. 8 Torrington

Game 2: 10 a.m. No. 4 Cheyenne vs. No. 5 Cody

Game 3: 1 p.m. No. 3 Riverton vs. No. 6 Sheridan

Game 4: 4 p.m. No. 2 Powell vs. No. 7 Gillette

FRIDAY

Game 5: 10 a.m. Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2

Game 6: 1 p.m. Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4

Game 7: 4 p.m. Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2

Game 8: 7 p.m. Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4

SATURDAY

Game 9: 10 a.m. Winner Game 5 vs. Loser Game 8

Game 10: 1 p.m. Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 7

Game 11: 4 p.m. Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8

Game 12: 7 p.m. Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10

SUNDAY

Game 13: 10 a.m. Winner Game 12 vs. Loser Game 11

Game 14: 1 p.m. Winner Game 13 vs. Winner Game 11 (Championship game)

MONDAY

Game 15: 10 a.m. Winner Game 14 vs. Loser Game 14 (If necessary)