Five In A Row For Pioneers

By: Nick Kieser

GALLATIN, TENNESSEE — The Vol State Lady Pioneers (9-3) have swept their conference series against Columbia State Community College. The scores to those games can be found here. Winning 7-5 in game one and 8-3 in game two the Pioneers completed the conference sweep yesterday on the home field before hosting Dyersburg this weekend.

Successfully defeating Columbia the Pioneers remain undefeated (6-0) in conference play thus far this season and sit in first place in the standings. Before the next conference matchup, the Pioneers will face Kaskaskia College Wednesday for a doubleheader starting at noon.

"Conference games matter. Plays like Alex had make or break a game. If she didn't have that catch then somebody could've scored," said Emma Byford after a play that Alex McFarlin made in the first game in the top of the fifth inning.

Emilee Hanlon was 5-5 in her first five plate appearances in the two games on Sunday (March 10). Her hitting streak was snapped in game two in the bottom of the second inning after a lineout for the second out of the inning for Columbia.

"It goes back to doing our job and what coach expects out of us. I know for me I need to be on base because I am fast and that's just one of the jobs I have to do," said Hanlon on her hitting streak on Sunday to have the first two games in hand that contributed to the sweep.

Emma Byford had one RBI in the second game on Sunday and scored in Ciera Purvis to get an early lead 4-0 by the end of the first inning. Byford is still overcoming a bone bruise on her left leg, a pitch from a Roane State player hit her (March 2) and since has been recovering from that hit.

"I am doing ok, still struggling some but I wear a brace. I've been limping along but I have done pretty good since taking that pitch. I wasn't a hundred percent and it was not my best game," said Byford.

Completing two consecutive conference sweeps puts the Pioneers atop the standings to begin the season. Dyersburg is (9-5) overall this season and (3-3) in conference play this year. Last time out for Dyersburg the Southwest Tennessee Community College Salquis defeated them 14-11 on Monday (March 11).

For the latest news on the Lady Pioneers follow the Twitter @VSCCPioneersSB for all the updates and analysis surrounding the program.