(Photo Credit: Preston Goehring/Scottsbluff Star-Herald)

By Miles Klotz

HASTINGS, NE - The Western Nebraska Pioneers scored eight runs in the fifth innings in Wednesday’s second half opener to defeat the Hastings Sodbusters, 9-2, from Duncan Field.

Ironically, the win moved the Pioneers (23-10) to 9-2 on the season against Hastings (14-21). Western Nebraska sent 14 men to the plate in the fifth inning, and each of the Pioneers’ nine starting position players scored a run in the contest. Only three players (Andrew Bates, Brandon Bohning, and Travis Turney) collected multiple hits in the all-around effort.

The Pioneers got to Hastings starter Sam Colehower early, who exited after allowing 7 runs on eight hits and three walks with seven strikeouts over four-plus frames. Ryan Krolikowski was ineffective in relief, allowing three walks, two hits, and two runs while recording just one out and allowing all three inherited runners to score.

Cal Beardsley was not his sharpest for the Pioneers, allowing two earned runs on four walks and just two strikeouts over 4.1 innings of work. Behind him, four Pioneer relievers (Logan Gilbertson, Matt Delcambre, Evan Ingram, and Luke Bradley) finished it off with scoreless relief the rest of the way, allowing just one hit and one walk combined. Gilbertson earned the win, his fifth of the season, tying him for the league lead in victories.

The win moves the Pioneers’ record to 13 games above .500 and solidifies their division lead. Western Nebraska will look for the two-game series sweep on Thursday as Chet Jones takes the mound against the Sodbusters, with first pitch scheduled for 5:35 PM MST.