The Pioneers have new uniforms and a new head coach, but Thursday’s home opener at Patrick Ramsey Field looked eerily similar to the struggles of last year’s Warren County High School baseball team.The Pioneers built an early three-run lead, but watched it evaporate when Lincoln County scored five runs in the sixth inning and ultimately went on to defeat Warren County 11-4 in both teams’ season opener.Warren County was hoping to get off to a hot start following last year’s five-win season, one which saw the Pioneers struggle holding onto leads.Thursday’s game wasn’t the outcome any Warren County player or fan wanted to see, as the Pioneers opened the game up 3-0 after three innings before letting the Falcons battle back.In the debut of first-year head coach Joey Haston, Warren County looked sharp in the early innings. Starter Roth Nunley went through the first three innings unscathed, showing a strong command of the strike zone and the ability to get a number of easy ground balls.Warren County’s offense also got a spark when senior co-captain Christian Gonzalez began the 2011 season with a single into center field. Gonzalez would advance around the bases and score on Dylan Barnes’ ground ball to give the Pioneers an early lead.Barnes, who reached base on his fielder’s choice, would score on an RBI ground out by Ben Wilson to put Warren County up 2-0.The lead would expand to three in the second inning.
Lincoln County downs Pioneers 11-4