Ft. Chiswell Pioneers edge PH Rebels 3-2

By PAM MCGUIRE/Correspondent

The Patrick Henry Rebels visited Pioneer Field on Wednesday for a non-district varsity baseball game.
The match-up proved to be a tough one for the Pioneers as good defense and pitching ruled the day for both teams.
Earlier in the year FC dropped a 5-3 decision to the Rebels in a game that was cut short in the fifth inning due to rain.  So the Pioneers were eager to revenge one of only three loses on the year. This time the Pioneers prevailed with a 3-2 win over the Rebels.
Blake Musick got the start on the mound for the Pioneers.  He was welcomed with a leadoff single by PH’s Brett Frye which awoke Musick as he retired the next three Rebels.
In the bottom of the first, PH’s Jacob Frye sent FC down in order to make the score 0-0 after one inning of play.
The second inning held more of the same for Patrick Henry as Musick allowed one walk but retired the side.
In the bottom half of the inning, the Pioneers got some instant offense in the form of a Blake Musick solo home run to center field to make the score 1-0 in favor of FC after two innings of play.
The Pioneers and the Rebels went down in order in the third and fourth innings.
In the top of the fifth, PH scratched out a hit and a walk on Musick but failed to score.  FC scored one run in the bottom of the fifth on a Drew White double and a Josh McNeil single to make the score 2-0 after five innings of play.
In the top of the sixth, PH’s Frye led off the inning with a single, but Musick and the Pioneer defense stood strong to hold the Rebels scoreless.
Blake Musick picked up a single in the bottom of the sixth but was left stranded on base as the Patrick Henry defense remained steady.
In the seventh inning, PH got things going as Counts and Montgomery both walked and ended up scoring on a hit by Frye and a Pioneer error to tie the score 2-2 after 6 ½ innings.
The Pioneers were fortunate to get out of the seventh inning allowing only two runs. If it were not for spectacular defensive plays by Hody Viars and Josh McNeil, the damage could have been much greater.
In the bottom of the seventh inning the Pioneers showed a great amount of pose as Tyler Akers led off with a sharp single to centerfield.  Cody Poole and Josh McNeil also notched singles in the inning to load the bases with one out.  Jake Underwood was very patient at the plate drawing the walk to end the game with the Pioneers taking a 3-2 decision.
With the win FC’s overall record climbs to 15 wins and 3 losses.  Blake Musick’s pitching record goes to 7 wins and 1 loss.  Musick ended the game with 10 strikeouts and 4 walks.  Blake also had a career day at the plate going 2-3 with a solo home run.  Josh McNeil went 3-4 and Cody Poole ended the day 2-2.
Jake Underwood and Michael Dunford both picked up key RBIs in the game.  Hody Viars, Josh McNeil, and the Pioneer defense are also to be commended for some terrific defensive plays.  The Patrick Henry defense was also no slouch as the Rebels only committed one error on the day.