The Western Nebraska Pioneers split a pair of games Thursday against the Rocky Mountain Baseball League conference leaders. The Pioneers captured the first game —which was the continuation of the Wednesday's wather-halted game — in dramatic fashion. The Pioneers got the 9-7 win on Luke Noack's home run in the 11th inning The Larks then scored seven late runs in the second game for the 10-2 victory.
The Pioneers trailed the first game 5-1 in the fifth inning on Wednesday when the rain halted play. When the two teams resumed, Hays carried a 7-1 cushion into the seventh inning and looked to be in control. The Pioneers made a dent in the deficit with two runs in the seventh.
EJ Barnes singled and Andrew Landis was hit by a pitch. With one out, Cooper Burgess singled to score both runners. The Pioneers tied the game with four runs in the ninth.
With one out, Western Nebraska got two batters on base via consecutive errors. Burgess singled to score one run and then Luke Noack added a RBI hit with two outs. With two in scoring position, Bryce Peterson stepped to the plate and two-run double to tie the game 7-7.
Hays put two on with two outs in the 11th but couldn’t capitalize. The Pioneers started the winning rally with two outs in the bottom of the frame. Francisco Laya walked and stole second.
Then Noack sent a 2-2 count deep over the right field fence. Western Nebraska was outhit in the contest 15-10. Noack, Burgess, and Peterson all had two hits to lead the Pioneers.
The se.