Jen Costa and Penny Eastman each had a 1-hit shutout in a sweep of Central Methodist in the Conference Tourney Final on Friday. The series victory clinches a spot in the NAIA National Tournament May 20-26 for the first time in MNU history. In game one, Taylor Ryal's 2-run double in the first inning was all the run support Costa needed, but the Pioneers kept the pressure on. Laura Fields hit a solo homer in the second inning to give MNU a 3-0 lead, and 2 more scored in the fourth on a wild pitch/error. Fields capped her amazing game at the plate with a 3-run blast in the 5th to win the game via the 8-run rule, and Costa picked up her 21st victory. Taylor Ryal (1-3, 2B, 2 RBI), Ashley Mayhle (2-3), Laura Fields (3-3, 3 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI), and Cait Gardner (2-2, R, 2B) led the offense.
In game two, the Eagles had their game one starter (Chelsea Fuemmeler) back on the mound, and she shut down the Pioneers for most of the game. Penny Eastman matched Fuemmeler's effort and the game was scoreless into the sixth inning. With two outs and a runner on first, Taylor Ryal nailed a 2-run homer to left to give MNU the lead. Eastman got the final 6 outs without trouble for her 19th win, and the Pioneers celebrated the tourney victory and trip to the National Tournament.
MNU is 45-6 (17-3 HAAC). The NAIA National Tournament is in Decatur, Alabama. It starts May 20 and runs through May 26.
