The Pioneers started conference play with a double-header sweep of Culver-Stockton on Saturday. In game one, the Pioneers took a 2-0 lead in the second inning, but Culver fought back with 3 runs in the fourth to take the lead. In the bottom of the inning, a two-out two-run single by AJ Nunley put MNU back on top. After a another single by Tim Purdin, Jarid Renzelman chased them both home with a double in the gap, giving MNU a 6-3 lead. Pitcher Keith Staton didn't allow another run, and the Pioneers won 7-3.
AJ Nunley (2-4, R, 2 RBI), Tim Purdin (2-3, R, BB), Jarid Renzelman (1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB), Darrell Huffman (1-2, 2 R, RBI, BB, 2 SB), and Cody Fuqua (2-2, R, 2B, RBI, BB, SB) led the offense.
Game 1 Box and Play-by-Play
In game two, Culver jumped on top with a three-run top of the first. MNU starter Ben Alison left in the first with an injury, and Tino Luna was tasked with the early relief. Tim Purdin tied the game in the bottom of the first after a walk and an error put two runners on. Purdin hammered a 1-0 pitch off of the back of the football bleachers for a 3-run homer, and MNU was back in the game. The game remained tied until the top of the fifth, when Culver scored an unearned run to take a 4-3 lead. But MNU answered in the bottom of the inning. With two outs and nobody on, the Pioneers loaded the bases with a walk, single, and hit batsman. Kirk Nungester lined a shot to the left-center gap which carried all the way over the fence for a grand slam, giving the Pioneers a 7-4 lead. Culver picked up a run in the 6th, and Luna was replaced by Dave Staton to close the game. With MNU leading 7-5 in the seventh, Culver loaded the bases with two outs. The hitter blooped a single into right field, but Nungester fired a strike to the plate, preventing the tying run from scoring and ending the game.
Tim Purdin (2-3, R, HR, 3 RBI, HBP),
Jarid Renzelman (2-4), and
Kirk Nungester (2-3, R, HR, 4 RBI) had multi-hit games at the plate.
Game 2 Box and Play-by-Play
