DAVENPORT, FL - The Pioneers entered Tuesday's doubleheader against Emerson with an opportunity to push their record above .500 and secure some momentum heading into the home stretch of their spring break. Thanks to Dean Ennis (Middle Island, NY/Longwood) and DaShawn Hutchinson (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro), the Pioneers did just that, securing a big sweep against the Lions to achieve their goal in dynamic fashion.
 
Ennis was the standout in game one, awing in his first collegiate pitching appearance as he shut the Lions out over his five innings of work. The freshman phenom allowed just five hits in the outing, grabbing five K's as he achieved his first career win in his first career start. Ennis kept the Lions off the board long enough for the Pioneers to take a 4-0 lead, an advantage that they would hold onto as they nabbed a 4-3 win to start off the day.
 
In the second leg of the two-game Tuesday slate, Hutchinson held it down for the Pioneers. The junior from nearby Whitesboro picked up four hits in the second matchup, also logging three RBI as he helped power the team to an outrageous 20-run performance in a 20-7 victory to cap off the sweep. Hutchinson wasn't alone on the offensive end in the second game, as a plethora of Pioneers got in on the action.
 
Jacob Pian (Stony Point, NY/North Rockland) was extremely effective in his second game start, slotting in at the number five spot in the lineup and bringing some discipline and pop. Pian managed to secure three walks in the contest, showing off his keen eye. He also used a second inning home run to boost his RBI total to four on the day. The business management major also crossed the plate four times in game two, proving to be a major force alongside Hutchinson.
 
Tanner Warren (Mohawk, NY/Central Valley Academy) and Steve Sclafani (North Massapequa, NY/Farmingdale) also recorded multi-hit games in the second showdown, with the former getting two base knocks and the latter getting three. Both players produced a pair of RBIs in the rout.
 
Not only did the Pioneers pick up two huge wins, but they also created plenty of opportunities to test their tactics as they employed two almost entirely different lineups in the two games. 20 players came to the plate for the team in the pair of matchups, with 14 of them procuring a hit and 11 of them earning at least one RBI.
 
On the mound, the Pioneers utilized the talent of seven different throwers, none of which were seniors. Four freshmen shared the majority of the innings for the team, with Ennis, Brandon Gralla (Dix Hills, NY/Half Hollow Hills West), Brennan Piptone, and Michael Flint (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) piloting the pitching duties at various times during the doubleheader. Flint also made an appearance in the lineup for the team, marking another potential two-way standout for the squad. Junior hurler Peyton Newton (Weedsport, NY/Weedsport) helped close out the final few innings of the first victory, achieving his first save of the season after he ended Emerson's comeback attempt.
 
The second game brought lots of momentum back to both the lineup and the pitching staff, with the Pioneers now heading into their final spring break showcase against Lakeland with lots of energy. The team improved to 5-3 on the year and will look to notch another one tomorrow in their spring break swan song. That game against Lakeland is scheduled for 12:15 tomorrow afternoon.