The matchup was billed as a battle between 4 of the best pitchers in the HAAC: MNU's
Penny Eastman (1.14 ERA) & Jen Costa (1.42 ERA) and Evangel's Tori Sizemore (1.24 ERA) & Kaitlyn Hasty (2.66 ERA). It did not disappoint. Game one featured Costa and Sizemore in the circle, and both pitchers dominated. The Crusaders took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth after a bunt single, a stolen base, and a sacrifice put a runner on 3rd with one out. A single brought home the run and the Pioneers trailed. MNU got back in the game in the fifth when
Ashley Mayhle led off with a walk and was sacrificed to 2nd by Kim Russell.
Cait Gardner knocked a double off the left field fence to score Mayhle and tie the game at 1. Evangel took the lead again when an RBI groundout scored a runner from third, and Sizemore managed to keep the Pioneers off the scoreboard the rest of the way. MNU threatened in the 6th, but two baserunning mistakes plays got Evangel off the hook. A hit batsman and a single put runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs, but the runner at second was called out for leaving too early on a pitch. A walk put two runners on again, and
Taylor Ryal's single seemingly loaded the bases with one out. But the runner at third was called out for a baserunning infraction, and MNU failed to score. Sizemore picked up her 19th victory, and
Ashley Salter (1-3),
Taylor Ryal (1-2, BB),
Ashley Mayhle (1-2, R, BB), and
Cait Gardner (1-3, 2B, RBI) had MNU's 4 hits.
Game two was nothing short of epic.
Penny Eastman and Kaitlyn Hasty lived up to their expectations, and the game lasted well into the night. Evangel was the home team and scored first with 2 runs on no hits in the bottom of the third. A walk, an error, and 2 more walks scored a run and loaded the bases with no outs. Another error brought home the second run, and Eastman was on the verge of disaster. But a force at home and 2 strikeouts got her out of trouble and kept the Pioneers in the game. In the top of the fourth,
Taylor Ryal's drive to left center cleared the fence and cut the lead in half, but MNU found themselves trailing 2-1 in the seventh. Sizemore entered the game to close it out, but the Pioneers were able to fight back. With one out,
Ashley Mayhle was hit by a pitch. Freshman pinch hitter
Laura Fields drilled a 2-2 pitch into the right-center gap to score Mayhle, and MNU tied the score at 2.
The game was far from over as Eastman and Sizemore battled deep into extra innings. Evangel got their first hit of the game in the eleventh inning, but 2 Eastman strikeouts ended the inning. In the bottom of the 15th, Evangel threatened again with a runner on second with one out. Hannah Somers nailed a single to center field, and the game seemed to be over. But center fielder
Brianna Payne grabbed the ball and fired a rocket all the way to the plate, cutting down the runner and extending the game. The Pioneers were finally able to score in the top of the 17th when Jen Costa led off with her 5th hit of the game, a double off the right-center field fence. After
Taylor Ryal's groundout advanced Costa to third,
Ashley Mayhle doubled to the left field corner to give MNU a 3-2 lead. Eastman got two quick outs in the bottom of the inning, but Evangel did not go quietly. An infield single and a walk put the tying run in scoring position for Somers, but a line drive to short ended the game and forced a deciding game 3.
Brianna Payne (2-7), Jen Costa (5-8, R, 2B),
Taylor Ryal (1-8, R, HR, RBI), and
Laura Fields (1-1, 2B, RBI) led the offense. Eastman threw 263 pitches in her 17-inning complete-game victory. She set a new NAIA single game strikeout record with 22, and she allowed just 5 hits in her 18th win. Sizemore was incredible on the day as well, throwing 318 pitches in 18 innings while going 1-1 in the double header.
The teams will face off tomorrow at Williams Field at 2:00 for a 3rd and final game. The winner will host Central Methodist on Friday for the HAAC Conference Tourney title.
The MNU faithful congratulate
Ashley Mayhle and Assistant Coach Juber after the 17-inning victory.
