Wichita, KS – The MNU Softball Team competed in the 2010 Friends Invitational this Saturday to the tune of 3 wins and 0 loses. The Pioneers suited up against host Friends University and took Game 1 with the score of 5-4.
Penny Eastman (3-0) got the win. Game 2 was another nail biter as the MNU squad defeated Bethany College 3-1 with
Jennifer Costa (1-1) taking the win. Game 3 was a slugfest with the Pioneers ending on top of Sterling College 13-6 and
Jordan Payne (2-0) nabbing the win.
Game 1 MNU 5 vs. Friends 4
MNU struck first in the top of the 2
nd inning when Junior Stephanie Jones(1) connected with a 2-run blast over the center field fence scoring Freshman
Leslie Jones to capture a 2-0 lead. The Pioneers struck again in the 4
th when Junior
Ashley Salter singled in Junior
Brianna Payne with a two out single up the middle making the score 3-0. Friends University answered back in the 5
th by placing 2 singles and an error to load the bases. A 2 out single drove in 2 runs closing the gap to 3-2. Friends would then tie MNU in the 6
th with 3 consecutive 2 out hits. MNU's Salter then led off the 7
th by reaching on an error. The next batter, Jenn Costa(1) shot a missile over the left center wall regaining the lead 5-3. Friends added a run in the bottom of the 7
th, but it was too little too late as the Pioneers finished a 5-4 victory and won their 3
rd game in a row. Leading the offense was Costa 1-2, HR, 2 HBP, Run, 2 RBI; B. Payne 3-4 Run, 2 SB; L. Jones 3-4, 3B, Run, SB; Junior
Taylor Ryal 2-4; and S. Jones 1-4, HR, Run, 2 RBI. Senior
Penny Eastman threw a complete game surrendering 2 earned runs on 8 hits and 4 walks while striking out 11.
Game 2 MNU 3 vs. Bethany 1
The bats stayed hot for MNU to start the game as a two out single by
Ashley Salter set the stage once more for Jenn Costa. With 2 strikes, Costa(2) unloaded on a pitch and sent a 2-run homerun sailing over the center field fence. Bethany scored a lone run in the top of the 3
rd but MNU answered right back. Stephanie Jones led of the 3
rd with a walk and
Brianna Payne advanced her on an infield single. Junior
Emily True advanced them both on a sacrifice bunt leaving
Ashley Salter a chance for an RBI. Salter did not disappoint as she drove in a run with a base hit up the middle adding to the Pioneers lead. Pitching and defense did the rest of the work for both ball clubs as the 3-1 score would stand as a final. MNU extended their win streak to 4 games in a row. Leading the offense for the Pioneers was Salter 2-3, Run, RBI; Costa 1-3, HR, Run, 2 RBI, S. Jones 1-1, Run, BB; True 1-2; B. Payne 1-3; Ryal 1-3, 2B; L. Jones 1-3, SB. In addition to the game winning homerun, Costa(1-1) picked up the win throwing a complete game while giving up 1 unearned run on 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 10.
Game 3 MNU 13 vs. Sterling 6
In a slugfest that saw MNU lace 15 hits the MNU Pioneers bested Sterling College 13-6. The scoring started early with MNU putting 6 runs on the board in the 1
st inning with 6 hits and a walk. Costa, L. Jones, Sophomore
Caity Thomas, and Senior Kim Russell all drove in a run while S. Jones jumped in by hitting in 2 runs. Sterling made it 6-1 in the bottom of the 1
st and the Pioneers answered back in the 2
nd. Jenn Costa (3), having a monster day, launched a moon shot over the center field wall scoring
Emily True and making the score 8-1. MNU tacked on another run when S. Jones doubled in Thomas for her 3
rd RBI of the night making it 9-1. It became 10-1 when S. Jones reached on another double and was driven in with Sophomore
Becca McCoy's double. Sterling did not give up as they pounded the ball in the 5
th inning for 5 runs and closing the gap to 10-6. That all changed when Costa(4) followed Salter's base hit with her 4
th homer of the day and second of the game. MNU added a 13
th run in the seventh when Freshman
Kalee Isbell single home
Becca McCoy with 2 outs ensuring a 13-6 MNU victory. The Pioneers were a perfect 3-0 on the day and are now 6-1 on the season with a 5 game win streak. Leading the offense was Costa 3-4, 2 HR, 3 Runs, 5 RBI; S. Jones 3-4, 2 2B, Run, 3 RBI; True 1-1, BB, 2 Runs; Salter 2-5, Run. Sophomore
Jordan Payne(2-0) got the win while Sophomore
Gale Christner and
Becca McCoy added help in relief.
MNU Head Coach Steve Babinski says, “Today was a very good day for Pioneer Softball. Even though we won 3 games I feel like the more important thing was that I saw our team getting better. This has been our 3rd day outside this Spring and I saw hitters getting settled in, pitchers attacking the zone, and a very steady defense.” Babinski adds, “It was good to see some kids really stepping up at the plate and being able to swing with confidence.” Babinski was probably referring to Costa, L. Jones, S.Jones, and B. Payne. Costa went 5-9 with 4 HRs, L. Jones went 5-9, S. Jones went 5-8 with a HR, and Payne went 5-8. “We are not there yet, but I am very please at the effort this team has put forth. They are a blessing to coach and I look forward to our next battle together.”
