The Pioneers split a slugfest double header at Graceland on Saturday. In game one, the Pioneers led 5-1 in the fifth inning, but Graceland rallied to score four in the inning and tie the game. The Pioneers responded in the top of the seventh when
Ben Alison led off with a single and
Jarid Renzelman doubled him to the third.
Tim Purdin chased them both home with a double to take a 7-5 lead, and Dave Staton's sacrifice fly brought home another run. Graceland scored a run in the bottom of the inning, but the Pioneers were able to hang on and win 8-6.
Justin Huggins picked up the win in relief, and
Jarid Renzelman (2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI),
Tim Purdin (2-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI), and
Josh Greer (2-3, R, 2B, 3B) had 2 hits apiece.
In game two, the Pioneers scored 12 runs in the first inning. The first out was finally recorded on
Ben Alison's sacrifice fly in his second at bat of the inning as MNU managed 12 runs on 11 hits and 3 walks. But Graceland answered with 2 runs in the first inning and 8 more in the second, making the score 12-10. Each team score in the third and fourth innings, and the Pioneers led by just one at 14-13. Graceland took control in the bottom of the fifth with 4 runs on just 1 hit, but MNU wasn't finished. Trailing 17-14 in the sixth,
AJ Nunley walked with one out.
Cody Fuqua followed with a single, and
Kyle Segraves doubled. After a hit batsman,
Jarid Renzelman singled and
Tim Purdin tied the game at 17 with an RBI-groundout. Graceland answered in the bottom of the sixth with a single run, and the Pioneers couldn't score in the seventh. The 18-17 loss is the highest scoring game of the season.
Kyle Segraves (2-4, 3 R, 2B, RBI, BB),
Ben Alison (2-3, R, 2 RBI),
Jarid Renzelman (3-5, 2 R, 3 RBI),
Tim Purdin (4-5, 3 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI),
Kirk Nungester (2-3, R, 2B, RBI, BB),
Josh Greer (2-5, R, 3B, RBI), and
Cody Fuqua (3-5, 2 R, RBI) had multi-hit games.
The Pioneers are 17-19 (10-10 HAAC). The next game is Friday at Benedictine at 1:00 PM.
