Jen Costa struck out 14 hitters in Game 1 and hit 2 homers in Game 2 as the Pioneers swept a double header from Peru State on Wednesday. In the first game, the Pioneers were trailing 2-0 and were hitless until
Chelsea Bapst singled home a run with 2 outs in the fourth inning. The Pioneers took the lead in the fifth when with 2 outs, Jenny Polivka doubled and
Tianna George homered to give MNU a 3-2 lead. Costa followed with a single and Taylor Ryan chased her home with a double to put the Pioneers up by 2. Costa held Peru State the rest of the way and took Game 1 4-2. Costa moved to 2-0 with a complete game 6-hit 14-strikeout performace. And
Tianna George (1-3, R, HR, 2 RBI),
Taylor Ryal (1-3, 2B, RBI), and
Chelsea Bapst (1-3, RBI) drove in runs for MNU.
In Game 2, the Pioneers jumped on Peru State early. With 2 on and no outs in the bottom of the first, Costa drilled a 3-run homer and the rout was on. Two more runs crossed in the second as the top of the lineup strung a single, triple, and double together to give MNU a 5-1 lead. Another rally in the 5th plated 2 more runs for the Pioneers, and Costa finished off the game in the sixth with a 2-run homer to give MNU a 9-1 lead and a victory via the 8-run rule.
Jessica Hull (1-0) threw 5 innings and allowed 3 hits and 1 run while striking out 9 for her first victory of the season. And Jenny Polivka (1-3, 2 R),
Tianna George (3-4, 3 R, 2B, 3B, RBI, SB), Jen Costa (3-4, 2 R, 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI), and
Taylor Ryal (2-3) led the offense.
The Pioneers are 4-0. The next game is a double header on Thursday at Lone Elm Park vs. St. Mary (0-2) at 5:00.
Game 1 Box and Play by Play
Game 2 Box and Play by Play
