Quiet bats and run support plagued the Pioneers for weeks heading into the Green River tournament this past weekend.

Coming out of the weekend the Pioneers are greeted with renewed confidence as Powell defeated Evanston 10-1 and Riverton 12-1 on Saturday.

POWELL 10, EVANSTON 1

The weekend started with a matchup against AA Evanston (6-11 overall). Powell (10-10 overall) dominated all phases of the game, leading to a combined no-hitter.

Starting on the mound for the Pioneers was Cade Queen, who got off to a rough start against the Outlaws.

Despite not getting any hits registered against him, Queen had three batters reach through an error and two walks to load the bases with no outs.

One Outlaw scored on a passed ball to make it 1-0 in the first. Queen struck out the final three batters of the inning to escape without a hit.

Nathan Feller got on base with one out in the third inning, and was brought in with the next hit as Ryan Cordes hit a single that allowed for Feller to score.

Jhett Schwahn reached on an error, and Brock Johnson brought in Cordes on a single to make it 2-1.

A walk for Trey Stenerson loaded the bases, and Queen grounded into a fielder’s choice to give Powell a 3-1 lead after three innings.

In the fourth, Dalton Worstell walked to lead off the inning and Feller singled to put two runners on with no outs.

Cordes hit a double to drive in both runners as Powell extended the lead to 5-1.

Powell put the game away in the sixth, as Jacob Gibson started the inning with a single.

Cordes brought in Gibson on a double to start out the scoring.

Schwahn then doubled to bring in Cordes, and Johnson brought in Schwahn to make it 8-1 Powell.

“Especially with wood bats it is harder to hit, for us to hit like we did was good to see,” Pioneers Manager Jason Borders said.

A Stenerson single advanced Johnson to third, allowing Johnson to score on an error by the catcher.

Stenerson scored on a steal home, making the score 10-1.

After three straight fly outs in the bottom of the sixth inning the game was called due to the tournament’s mercy rule.

Queen and Gibson combined for the no-hitter in six innings of work as they combined for 12 strikeouts and only four walks.

“They are a AA team,” Borders said. “For Cade [Queen] and Jacob [Gibson] to shut them down for the no-hitter was good to see. They are pretty rare and for us to get one is pretty cool.”

Cordes finished 3-4 at the plate and drove in four runs for the Pioneers.

POWELL 12, RIVERTON 1

In the evening session, the Pioneers matched up with southwest A opponent Riverton (1-4 overall) hoping to end the day on a high note.

The Pioneers got things started early in the contest.

Schwahn hit a single, and Johnson brought him in on the next at bat to give Powell an early 1-0 lead.

Johnson stole second, and contact from Stenerson led to an error that brought Johnson in to make it 2-0.

Stenerson scored on a Queen single, making the contest 3-0 after the first inning.

In the third inning, Queen made it on base after a fielder’s choice got Stenerson out at second. A walk to Aidan Wantulok put Queen on second, and Worstell drove in the pair to make it 5-0 after three innings.

Powell got three more in the fourth, as Schwahn brought in one and Queen drove in two more to make it 8-0.

Riverton put a run on the board to make it 8-1.

The Pioneers continued to play strong, as Keaton Rowton, Schwahn and Wantulok all drove in runs to make it 12-1 in the fifth.

The game ended after the bottom half of the fifth inning due to the mercy rule.

Schwahn finished 3-4 at the plate and drove in two runs, while Queen finished 2-3 and drove in three runs.

Powell was scheduled to take part in two games on Sunday but the tournament was rained out and not rescheduled.

RETURNING HOME

After finishing up the Green River tournament, the long road trip for the Pioneers comes to a close this week.

The Pioneers were set to open up conference play on Wednesday night on the road against Lovell (6-3 overall).

“They are experienced and they are going to swing it pretty good,” Borders said. “I feel they are one of the top teams in the state. If we pitch well and hit the ball like we did this weekend we should be fine.”

First pitches in that matchup were set for 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. in Cowley.

The Pioneers finally return home on Saturday, as a rematch against AA Sheridan (13-5 overall) greets Powell.

Powell dropped the first two games against Sheridan on the road 3-0 and 10-2 on May 14.

First pitch is set for 1 p.m. for the first matchup and approximately 3:30 p.m. for the second game.

The busy week continues on Monday, as the Pioneers host Buffalo (0-4 overall). 

Powell won earlier matchups with Buffalo, winning 21-3 and 12-2 on May 15.

First pitch on Monday night is set for 5 p.m. and approximately 7 p.m. for the second contest.