Pioneer baseball captures Corvallis Summer Slam

The regular season might be over, but Sandy baseball is catching its stride. The Pioneers summer baseball team won the Corvallis Summer Slam two weekends ago. Sandy went 5-0 in the tournament and was led throughout by a fantastic pitching effort.

The Pioneers outscored opponents 30-5, and one of the highlights on the mound came from Bryce Tilton and Scooter Turin, who combined to throw a no hitter in an 11-0 win against Lebanon.

North Eugene presented the toughest challenge of the weekend.

In a battle where every pitch was crucial, Sandy won 2-1 and were led by Justin Adams who was nearly untouchable.

In three starts this summer, Adams has only allowed one run. During the 2012 regular season, the hard-throwing right hander was reliable in the closer role. But his performance this summer is making it likely he'll pitch as a starter next season.

Sandy is also expecting two other pitchers to compete for a starting role.

Connor Bryant was labeled as one of the better pitchers in the JV program last season.

"He's lived up to the hype," Sandy coach Garet Luebbert said.

Carson Dwyre will also be joining Bryant from the JV level and is expected to make an immediate impact.

"Carson is what everyone wants to talk about," Luebbert said.

Turin, who will return for another year at varsity, could see more innings next season. Luebbert says that he holds on runners better that anyone he's had in the program the last couple of years.