Pioneers Clinch Conference Title

FORT PIERCE, FL - Indian River would split the double header against Central Florida 6-2 win and a 6-7 loss. The one win would be all the Pioneers need to win the Citrus Conference. Indian River would be the first ever Citrus Conference Champions as this conference was formed at the start of the 2023-2024 athletic year as 12 teams would be put into one conference and compete for one title.

Indian River were triumphant over Central Florida 6-2 in game one. The Pioneers opened the scoring in the first inning after Anthony Hunerberg singled and driving in two runs. Two more runs crossed the player in the fifth inning extended the lead to 5-1. Daniel Baez hit his second home run of the year and freshman Jake Weatherspoon doubled and also scored a run. CJ Hanson would get his sixth win of the year while Justin Minaberry would get his second save of the year.

Pioneers will fall short in game two 7-6 against Central Florida. Indian River fought back after falling down by five runs in the sixth inning and leaving the winning the run on second base in the seventh inning. Cade Drohan began the game for the Pioneers allowing three hits over four innings, striking out four. From there four other Pioneer pitchers threw the next five innings striking out two and not allowing a walk.  Indian River tallied ten hits in the game. Matthew Lashley led the way with three RBIS and two hits on the day.

Who the Pioneers play next is still to be determined as Central Florida and Pensacola State are set to match up on April 31. This winner of this will play the Pioneers this Friday, May 3, in the Fort Pierce Regional. The winner of the best of three game series will advance to the Final Four in Tampa for hopes to represent Region VIII in the NJCAA Division I Baseball World Series in Colorado. 

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