Kevin Liddle's bases-loaded single in the bottom of the 9th gave the Pioneers a 4-3 victory over Ottawa University on Wednesday. Lefty Harrison Helms pitched 6 strong innings and left with the score tied at one. In the seventh, Ottawa score 2 runs on 2 hits and 2 Pioneers errors off righty Keith Staton. But twin brother Dave Staton tied the game in the bottom of the inning with a 2-out 2-run blast over the left field fence. Keith Staton shut down Ottawa in the 8th and 9th, setting up the Pioneer final inning. With one out, Ben Alison drew a walk. Darrell Huffman followed with a single to left, and Alison's aggressive base running took him all the way to third. After an intentional walk to load the bases, Kevin Liddle fought off several tough 2-strike pitches before finally driving one into the right-center field gap to win the game.
Kevin Liddle (2-5, 2B, RBI), Jarid Renzelman (2-3, BB), Ben Alison (1-2, 2 R, RBI, BB), and Dave Staton (2-3, R, HR, 2 RBI) led the offense.
The Pioneers are 9-6 (2-0 HAAC). The next game is scheduled for Friday at Manhattan Christian at 1 PM. *Depending on the playability of the fields, the game might be at home.
