Pioneer of Woodland, a town with a deep baseball tradition, traveled to Folsom this Thursday to face our Vista del Lago team. So early in the season, it is difficult to predict what you're going to see as both teams are still finding their way. However, one thing you hope to see during a season is a real pitcher's duel--this was that game.

Landis Provencial took the mound for the Eagles and quickly established himself as he faced just one more than the minimum through the first five innings, striking out four, walking one and surrendering a lone single that came off the tip of the DH-Joseph Otero's bat and settled in between the pitcher's mound and third base.

However, Vista's batters were toughing it out against the Patriot's crafty lefthander Aaron Hansen, who did not give up a hit until the fourth inning when Cody Kalehuawehe took a pitch to deep right field and off the fence for a stand-up double. With one out in the inning, Jeff Miller hit a drive to the fence at left center and hustled in for a sliding triple, driving in Kalehuawehe for the first run of the game and handing the Eagles a 1-0 lead. Later in the inning, David Landuk walked to give the Eagles runners at first and third, unfortunately Miller was thrown out at the plate on a double steal attempt.

In the fifth, the Eagles threatened again, capitalizing on two free passes to first and a successful double steal to put runners at second and third but ultimately came up empty.

Pioneer took advantage of their only walk of the game in the top of the sixth when leadoff hitter Jay Puckett lined a double to deep center to plate the baserunner and tie the score at 1-1. A Vista throwing error put runners at the corners and a sacrifice fly to right put the Patriots on top 1-2.

For the game, Provencial struck out five, walked one, gave up only two hits and a lone earned run. He was relieved in the seventh inning by Danny Muzzi who made quick work of the final three Pioneer batters.

Vista had one last shot in the bottom of the seventh and things looked promising when John McCants singled to deep left field. Seve Villrruel followed up with a single of his own to center and pinch hitter Tyler Quesada singled to left as well. And while normally three consecutive singles to the outfield would plate a runner, the Eagles loaded the bases with only one out. However, it was not to be as the next two Vista batters struck out and flied out to end the Eagle threat.

Vista out hit Pioneer 5-2 and earned more bases on balls, 4-1 but were unable to capitalize, stranding seven runners on base and getting caught stealing twice. But in the end, the only thing that counts is runs scored and Vista learned that the hard way.

Vista travels to Roseville next Wednesday to face the tough Woodcreek Timberwolves in a non-league match up.