SMC sweeps the Weekend in Alabama

WADLEY, AL- This past weekend on February 21 and 22, the Pioneers fought their way to three wins, sweeping the weekend in Alabama. Despite a five hour drive on Friday morning, SMC was ready to battle. Being the second time for some of the younger guys to travel to another state for a game, it was an adjustment. The Pioneers were focused on winning. Going into the weekend, SMC now 9-3 held a record of 6-3. "We have to get three wins this weekend, man. We are supposed to be a winning team, now we have to show it" said freshman, second baseman, O'Kevius Conway (Clinton).

Game 1:

 SMC wasn't quite locked in at the plate like their starting pitcher was. While the offense for the Pioneers was hitless until the third, Tyler Thornton (CofC) (RHP) was showing out on the mound (10K, 1H, 0 R, 6IP). Thornton gave SMC a chance to win and in the end they got the job done. Although it wasn't the ideal win with an extra inning game and wind chills in the twenties, the offense stepped up to help Blake Smith (Ninety Six) (RHP) (1-0) get the win (2K, 2H, 2BB, 1.1IP). The job wasn't done through 7.1 innings, Kam Dixon (Darlington) (RHP) came in to get the save (2K, 1 BB, 0 H, 1.2IP).Top Hitters: Peatross (2-4), Keels (1-3, 2B), McKay (1-3, RBI, SB), Jackson (1-4, RBI).  FINAL: SMC 3, DSCC 2

Game 2:

On Saturday the 22nd ranked Pioneers faced John A. Logan for their first game of the day. Tied 1-1 going into the third, neither club scored again until the tenth. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Hayden Heflin (Pinewood prep) (RHP) (sophomore) was on the mound to relieve Henry Weiler (Leawood, KS; UofArkansas) Weiler held the game to a tie for five solid inning. Heflin worked his way out of a bases loaded no out half inning. "This was a huge turning point in the game" said Weiler. The next inning, Dom Jackson (previously 0-4), hit a go ahead "Mamo Tank" over deep left field to give the Pioneers the lead in extras. "I was 0 for four on that game and I wasn't going to get out. The ball just looked like a beach ball coming in there after that" Jackson said.  Heflin: (1-0) (2K, 2 H, 0 BB, 2.1IP). Top Hitters: Jackson (1-5, HR, RBI, R), Samuel (1-2, 3 BB, 2 SB, R), Berne (1-1, RBI, R), 

Dechiara (1-5, RBI) FINAL: SMC 4, John A. Logan 1 (10 innings)

Game 3:

SMC battled Southern Union State Community College following the win against John A. Logan. Anders Deshields (St. James) (1-0) (LHP) (5K, 4 BB, 2 H, R, 5IP) started the game for SMC and earned the win. A home run by Sothern Union kept them in the game towards the end but Dixon came in to close the game for the second day in a row. SMC recorded their third win in two days. Top Hitters: Jackson (2-5, HR, 2B, 2RBI, 2 R, SB), Berne (1-4, 2B, R), Palencia (1-4, RBI, R, SB), Busby (1-2, R). FINAL: SMC 7, SUSCC 3

The Pioneers will travel to Georgia Perimeter College in Covington, GA on Saturday. The first game starts at 1:00pm.

Article By: Alex Rogers

I am a freshman student at SMC. Graduated from Saluda High School where I played baseball. I love sports and I have a passion for stats and watching athletes on a high level. I love to write and plan to be a sports analyst/writer for my career. While I am in school, I am doing everything I can to gain experience and learn from others. I plan to do an article for every game of the 2015 baseball season. Please stay tuned with our social media pages Twitter: @gosmcbaseball, Instagram: @SMCpioneerBaseball Facebook: SMC Baseball and Pioneer Athletics at Spartanburg Methodist College, Website: www.gosmcpioneers.com for links to more articles. If you have any ideas or specific stories that you would like me to do a write up on, please email me at alexprogers6@yahoo.com or text/call at (864)-993-1493. I am willing to work with anyone, and love being helped/critiqued. Thank you again for viewing. GO PIONEERS!