Jen Costa dominated Game 1 on both sides of the ball, but the Pioneers lost a 4-run lead in Game 2 and settled for a split at Evangel on Wednesday. Game 1 was scoreless until the top of the fifth when
Emily True led off with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt/error. Another bunt moved the runners in scoring position, and
Annie Duffner loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch.
Tianna George hit a sacrifice fly and MNU took a 1-0 lead. Evangel got their first hit in the bottom of the fifth, but the lead was maintained. Costa's NAIA-leading 19th homer put the Pioneers up by 2, and an RBI groundout made it 3-0. Evangel picked up a run with a solo homer in the sixth, but Costa answered with her 20th homer, a 2-run shot, in a top of the seveth to account for the 5-1 victory. She won her 10th game of the year with a 2-hit 1-run complete game. And Costa (2-3, 2 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI, BB) and
Emily True (2-3, R, 2B) had 2 hits apiece.
In Game 2, the Pioneers scored 2 runs in each of the first two innings to take a 4-0 lead. Evangel was held scoreless through 4 innings, but exploded in the fifth to take the lead. With 2 outs and a runner on, Evangel mounted their comeback. Two singles, a double, and a triple tied the game, and a balk brought home the 5th run to give Evangel the lead. The Crusaders added another run in the bottom of the sixth, and the Pioneers could not score late and fell 6-4.
Chelsea Bapst (1-2, 2B, RBI, 2 BB), Jen Costa (1-2, R, BB, HBP), and
Taylor Ryal (1-2, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, SF) led the offense.
The Pioneers are 24-7 (9-3 HAAC). The next game is a non conference double header at Ottawa (14-11) on Thursday at 3:00.
Game 1:
Box and Play by Play
Game 2:
Box and Play by Play
