The #24 Pioneers came back in both games to get a big sweep of #32 Central Methodist on Wednesday. In Game 1, two Pioneer errors led to 4 unearned runs for the Eagles while MNU was held hitless until the bottom of the third. CMU increased their lead to 6-0 with 2 runs on 3 hits and an error in the third, but the Pioneers began a comeback in the bottom of the inning. With one out,
Tianna George doubled then scored on a Jen Costa single. After a stolen base, Costa scored on a
Taylor Ryal single to cut the deficit to 4. The Eagles got a run back with a solo homer in the top of the fifth to go up 7-2, but the Pioneers answered in the bottom of the inning. Jenny Polivka led off with a single, and George's second double of the game put runners on second and third with no outs. One out later, Jen Costa's
16th homer of the season brought home 3 runs and cut the dificit to 2, and
Taylor Ryal and
Ashley Salter followed with singles to put the tying run on base. An error led to another run and moved Salter to third, and
Alexis Folkerts completed the remarkable comeback with an RBI groundout to tie the game.
The score remained tied until the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Salter singled and
Annie Duffner was hit by a pitch. Folkers singled to load the bases, and
Leslie Jones poked a single to right to give the Pioneers the walk-off victory.
Costa picked up her 7th victory of the season, allowing 8 hits and 7 runs (2 earned) while striking out 7 in a complete game. And
Tianna George (2-4, 2 R, 2 2B), Jen Costa (2-4, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI, SB),
Taylor Ryal (2-3, R, RBI, BB), and
Ashley Salter (2-4) led the offense.
In Game 2, CMU took a 3-0 lead in the top of the third when Jordyn Tolliver nailed a 3-run homer to left field. But the Pioneers mounted another comeback in the bottom of the inning.
Tianna George led off with a
solo shot, and one out later Jen Costa singled and
Taylor Ryal walked to set up another run when
Ashley Salter drove an RBI double to right-center. After an
Emily True squeeze bunt turned into an RBI single and tied the game,
Alexis Folkerts gave the Pioneers the lead with another infield hit to make the score 4-3. Neither team scored again, and the Pioneers completed the sweep. The victory was Coach Babinski's 200th of his career. He is currently 200-128 in his 7th season at MNU.
Jess Hull (3-1) picked up the victory as she allowed 3 runs and struck out 5 in 4.2 innings,
Gale Christner pitched 1.2 innings of solid relief, and
Kayla Harris struck out both batters she faced for the save.
Tianna George (1-4, R, HR, RBI), Jen Costa (2-3, R, SB), and
Ashley Salter (2-3, 2B, RBI) led the offense.
The Pioneers are 19-4 (6-0 HAAC). The next game is a double header at Baker (15-9, 4-0) on Friday at 5:00.
Game 1: W 8-7 |
Box and Play by Play
Game 2: W 4-3 |
Box and Play by Play
