Weldy goes 3 for 3, but W. Central shuts out Pioneer in sectional opener

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Baseball

West Central 12, Pioneer 0 (Wednesday): Lane Weldy went 3 for 3, and Gabe Scott added two hits, but the Pioneer baseball team dropped their Class 1A, Sectional quarterfinal to No. 15 West Central at Tri-County’s Remington Park Wednesday.

Charles Grandstaff also had a hit for Pioneer, who finished 6-19.

Pioneer pitchers walked eight and hit two batters. Pioneer also committed five errors that led to six unearned runs for West Central.

Weldy took the loss, allowing three hits and two runs over four innings. He walked two and struck out three.

Jayson Layman, Emrik Lucas and Carter Carmichael followed with one inning of relief.

Connor Huber went 4 for 4 with three singles and a double and two RBIs for West Central. Zane Wall also had two RBIs.

Tate Leman pitched a six-hitter with one walk and four strikeouts for West Central.

West Central (15-5) will play North White, who received a bye, in the semifinals at 11 a.m. Saturday.

West Central 12, Pioneer 0

West Central 110 025 3 – 12 7 0

Pioneer 000 000 0 – 0 6 5

WP – Leman (7 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K)

LP – Lane Weldy (4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K)

2B – Huber (WC)

3B – Warner (WC)