Pioneers Eliminated from Playoffs

By: Nick Kieser

COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE — The Volunteer State Community College Pioneers have been eliminated from the 2019 NJCAA Region Seven Postseason Tournament. Following a loss from Walters State, the Pioneers were ousted 11-1 by the host school Columbia State Community College.

Jack Sensing was the starting pitcher for the Pioneers and finishes his season (3-6) overall with 55.2 innings pitched and 53 strikeouts. Four errors went against the Pioneers and Columbia was able to capitalize on those to pour on the runs.

"Personally I feel that I had a good day. As a team, we just didn't play well enough in the tournament and we got put out," said Sensing following the season-ending loss.

"It's been a rollercoaster the whole year and when we were on we were all on. Some guys step up when we need them and today it just didn't happen. The whole team should have come together and it could've been different," said shortstop Cole Flatt.

As a whole, the Pioneer program finishes out the season 20-29 and 8-17 in conference play. One game shy of 50 the Pioneers just couldn't put the pieces back together after Walters State won game two 9-2.

"The message this whole postseason was to keep digging no matter what happens and we compared that to our lives. You'll always have adversary and obstacles in your life and you just have to keep digging," said Sensing.

"I had a fun time playing. I never really go too far down or too far up and I think the whole team was like that. We stayed even-keeled the whole season and sometimes it just doesn't go your way," said Flatt.

The players and staff returned to the home clubhouse after the postseason was over and cleared the stalls out to be ready for next season. Head Coach Ryan Hunt, Assistant Coach Jason Barrett, and Assitant Coach Corvin Scott led this program and as of now, nothing will change.

"You look at the record and look at some of our offensive stats which aren't as great and defensive stats not as good too. We had good sophomore guys that bought in and played their heart out, that's what really matters and they gave us all they had. Hopefully, the returning guys can see that and come back and realize that's what it takes and build off that to improve," said coach Hunt.