The Pioneers started the conference schedule with a sweep at Evangel on Thursday. In Game 1, sophomore Tino Luna allowed 5 hits and 1 run with 7 strikeouts in 6 innings for his second victory of the season. The Pioneers jumped on Evangel early, scoring 2 runs in the first and 3 more in the second to grab a 5-0 lead. Another crooked number went up in the fifth when MNU rallied for 4 runs. Evangel managed a single run in the sixth, but the Pioneers won the game 9-1. Kyle Segraves (2-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, SB) David Hamlett (2-4, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 2 SB), Ben Alison (2-2, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB), and Tim Purdin (1-3, 2 RBI, BB) each had 2 RBI.
In Game 2, the Pioneers trailed 2-0 after the second inning, but they rallied to tie the game in the top of the third. The Pioneers added a single run in the fourth and 2 more in the fifth to take a 5-2 lead. Evangel closed the gap with a single run in the fifth, but the Pioneers iced the game with 2 runs in the seventh and completed the sweep with a 7-4 victory. Keith Staton (2-1) allowed 5 hits and 3 runs and struck out 4 in 5 innings for his second win of the season. Justin Huggins pitched the final 2 innings for his 2nd save. And David Hamlett (2-3, SAC), Jordan Goliat (2-2, 2B, RBI, BB, SAC), Dave Staton (2-3, 3 RBI, SF), and Kevin Liddle (2-4, R) had 2 hits apiece.
The Pioneers are 8-5 (2-0 HAAC). The next game is a double header on Saturday at home vs. Lindenwood (9-10, 2-0) at 1:00.
