The latest victim of the Mustangs was Evergreen Valley. Pioneer blasted Evergreen with a 10-hit attack, resulting in an 11-4 pounding. The hit parade was led by junior catcher Eddie Hsieh who racked up three hits and a pair of runs-batted-in. He had solid support from Mike Kaufmann who pounded out a couple of hits.

Left-hander Andy Wright benefited from the barrage of hitting and picked up his second win against one loss with a fine performance on the mound.

The Mustangs lit up the scoreboard with five runs in the top of the second and continued to add to their total with one each in the third and fourth innings and a pair each in the fifth and sixth. Evergreen made some noise, getting three runs across in the bottom of the sixth, but it was too little too late.

Pioneer opened play in the Valley Christian Crown Classic Tournament last Saturday by splitting a pair of pool play contests. The Mustang bats remained hot in an 18-hit slugfest that produced a 12-6 win over Leigh and then were silent in an 11-1 loss to Valley Christian.

The Leigh win was an impressive one for Pioneer over an "A" league member that traditionally has a solid program.

It didn't start on the best of notes, though, as the Mustangs allowed the Longhorns to push four runs across in the top of the first. However, Pioneer came roaring back in its half of the first to match the Longhorns with four of its own.

The key blows were a triple that Shaun Souza punched down the right field line to send home two runs and a flair by M. Kaufmann that dropped behind the shortstop for a RBI single.

Pioneer proved that it's not all offense with a couple of highlight reel defensive plays in the top of the second. Souza chased down a shot to deep left to make a nice running catch near the fence. Shortstop Andrew Schulz stretched full length to snag a soft bloop just over his head for a diving catch as he flopped to the ground. It was key as it prevented a run from scoring and kept the game knotted at 4-4.

Pitcher Robbie Nelson settled into a rhythm and proceeded to keep the Leigh bats quiet the rest of the way in his five innings of work. Nelson got a strikeout with two runners on to end the fourth, then struck out the side in the fifth. Wright came on in relief to throw two innings of no-hit ball.

Pioneer broke the game wide open with a six-run third. The Mustangs loaded the bases with one out on consecutive singles by Hsieh, M. Kaufmann and Zane Bailey and chased the Longhorn starting pitcher. Leigh's reliever couldn't find the plate. Four walks combined with singles by Michael Schulz and Souza and Pioneer was looking at a 10-4 lead.

Pioneer added single runs in the fourth and sixth innings. A. Schulz ripped a shot down the third base line for a single to drive in Bailey in the fourth. Pinch hitter Brent Osborn roped a double over the right fielder's head on the first pitch he saw to drive in Pioneer's final run.

Bailey and M. Kaufmann knocked out three singles each in the win. Souza rapped two hits, including a triple. A. Schulz and Ryan Gall punched a pair of singles each.

The Mustangs must have used up their allotment of hits for the day against Leigh and couldn't string together enough to produce much in the loss to Valley Christian. Steve Matos ripped a single and a double to get two of Pioneer's six hits.

Pioneer continued play in the Crown Classic Tournament this week against Oak Grove, Santa Cruz and Burlingame.

BVAL Santa Teresa Division action resumes for the Mustangs with home games against Independence (April 5) and Lincoln (April 7). Game times are 3:30 p.m.