Pioneers take three in weekend series

SPARTANBURG, SC-

Game 1: Sophomore righty Tyler Thorton tossed a complete game four hitter and allowed two runs and collected six strikeouts to propel SMC to a 6-2 win over Region X foe Guilford Tech. 

The Pioneers would collect one run in the first inning when Dominique Jackson singled to lead off for SMC, stole second and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Jackson would trot home after    Ke' shaun Samuel doubled . SMC would take advantage of a couple errors and two walks to plate four runs in the second inning. Kevon Perkinsdrove in two runs with a double to deep left field. 

Thorton remained solid for the Pioneers on the hill to earn the win in the opening game of the four game series. Top Hitters: Perkins (1-3, 2B, 2RBI, R), Betsill (1-2, BB, R, SB), Samuel (1-3, 2B, RBI)

Game 2: Guilford Tech held on to win game two on Saturday afternoon 8-6. SMC had the tying runners on base in the bottom of the seventh but could not tie it up in their final at bat. Top Hitters: Samuel (1-3, 2B, BB, 2R), Berne (1-1, RBI, SB), Busby (1-2, BB, 2R), Perkins (1-3, 2 SB, R)

Game 3: The Pioneers (13-8) overcame a early two run deficit to take game three of the Region X series vs Guilford Tech 6-5. Sophomore Blake Smith (Ninety-Six High)(3IP, 2H, 4K) earned the win in relief of starter Ander DeSheilds. Freshman Kam Dixon (Darlington High) (2IP, H, 2K) closed the door to collect the save. 

Freshman Dallas Betsill (Chapman High)(3-3, R, 3SB) led SMC offensively while fellow freshman Hamp Fallaw (Emerald High) went 2-2 with a double. 

Game 4: An offensive circus for SMC exploded with the bats in game four of the Region X series. Mason Berne (Topsil, NC) hit a two run home run in the bottom of the first inning to give SMC another first inning lead. The bottom of the third resulted in 14 runs, four consecutive doubles, and a two run home run by catcher Seth Wall (Georgetown). An inning later, Wall crushed another tank (3RBI) over left center for his second of the game. Tyler Kimbrell (RHP) (Wando) (3K, 8H, BB, 5IP) stood strong for SMC, recording the win. Top Hitters: Wall (3-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R), Betsill (3-3, 2B, 3 RBI, R), Berne (2-2, HR, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 3 R)

FINAL: SMC 21, GTCC 3.

SMC will play Lake Land Community College in Supply, NC at 10:00am on Tuesday morning then a 3:00pm game against Brunswick Community College. SMC will play a double header against Brunswick on Wednesday then return home where they will travel to USC Lancaster this coming weekend. 

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 Faceb