The Pioneers survived a late scare in game two to salvage a split vs. William Jewell on Friday. In game one, Jewell took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 3rd, but MNU answered in the bottom of the inning when
Cody Fuqua's double scored
John Burgat to tie the game. MNU took the lead in the 4th when Dave Staton and
Ben Alison homered to make the score 4-1. Jewell countered with 3 runs in the top of the 5th and added a run in the 6th to take the lead. The Pioneers were unable to push another run across and lost 5-4. Dave Staton (1-3, R, HR, 2 RBI),
Cody Fuqua (1-2, 2B, RBI), and
Ben Alison (1-1, R, HR, RBI) led the offense.
In game two, the Pioneers jumped on top 1-0 in the first inning and extended the lead in the second when
Kyle Segraves nailed a line drive over the left field fence. His two-out three-run homer was his first as a Pioneer and gave MNU a 4-0 lead. Jewell scored 3 unearned runs in the next 2 innings to get back into the game, but an RBI single from
Ben Alison and a solo homer from
Jarid Renzelman extended the lead to 6-3 headed into the 7th. The seventh proved very stressful for the Pioneers. With two outs and a runner on, Jewell mounted a comeback. Three walks and a single brought in two runs and loaded the bases, but a line drive off closer Dave Staton's glove stayed close enough for the pitcher to make the play at first and end the game.
Tino Luna (2-0) allowed 2 hits and 3 runs in 4.2 innings to pick up the victory in relief.
Kyle Segraves (1-2, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, BB),
Jarid Renzelman (2-3, R, HR, RBI), and
Ben Alison (1-2, R, RBI, BB, 2 SB) led the offense.
Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box
