The Western Nebraska Pioneers will be playing in the 2022 Independence League playoffs when the season finishes up in late July into early August.
The Pios clinched that postseason berth with a 7-3 win on the road over the Hastings Sodbusters on Tuesday night.
As the first half champion of the Nebraskaland Division the Pioneers will take on the second half division winner in a best of three series to begin the playoffs at the end of the season.
On Tuesday night the Pioneers got off to a fast start offensively with one run in the first inning and then a big four run second inning as they led 5-0 early on.
They’d tack on two more runs in the sixth on their way to a first half division crown with a record of 17-10.
Eric Smelko, Jace Jeremiah, and Alex Zerfass, hitting in the top three spots in the order, combined to go 9-14 with five runs scored and three RBI.
Gunnar Nartker got the start and earned the win with a six inning, five strikeout performance while allowing just two runs.
Ignacio Reynoso struck out four in three innings of one run ball in relief.
The Pioneers have today off before playing four days straight at home. On Thursday, Friday, and Sunday they’ll host the North Platte Plainsmen with a Saturday game scheduled against the U.S Military All-Star team.
