The Pioneers won two remarkable games and advanced to the championship round of the HAAC Conference Tournament on Friday. In Game 1 vs. Evangel, the Pioneers scored 3 runs without the benefit of a hit to take early control of the game. Two more runs scored in the third, and the Pioneers led by 5. But the Crusaders started their comeback in the fifth. A 2-run homer got the Crusaders within 3, but MNU answered right back with 2 runs in the bottom of the fifth to increase the lead back to 5. In the top of the sixth, 2 walks and a single loaded the bases for Evangel's Danelle Billings. Billings nailed a 2-1 pitch over the center field fence for a grand slam, and MNU's lead the cut to 1. One out later, a solo shot tied the game at 7, but the Pioneers stayed with it. MNU scored 4 runs on 3 hits to take control once again, and
Kayla Harris closed out the seventh to seal the victory. Jen Costa (14-3) struck out 9 and picked up the win, and
Tianna George (1-4, 2 R, 2B), Jen Costa (0-0, 3 R, 4 BB),
Ashley Salter (2-2, R, 2 RBI, HBP, SF),
Emily True (2-4, R, RBI),
Lynsey Keith (2-3, 2B, RBI, BB), and
Alexis Folkerts (1-3, 2 RBI, SAC) led the offense.
In Game 2 vs. host Central Methodist, HAAC Pitcher of the Year Aubrey Utley was dominant, but Pioneer starter
Jessica Hull matched her inning for inning until the Eagles threatened to take the lead in the sixth. CMU led off the inning with back to back singles and a passed ball to put runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs. Two pitches later, the inning was over. The next hitter grounded a ball down the third base line where Jen Costa snagged it and tagged out the runner at third for the first out. Costa then took the mound and induced a 6-4-3 double play to incredibly end the threat. Costa then led off the top of the seventh by nailing a 3-1 pitch over the right field fence for her NAIA-leading 26th homer to put MNU up 1-0. The Eagles went down in order in the bottom of the inning, and MNU survived a 1-hitter to advance to the championship round.
Jessica Hull threw 5.1 innings of 5-hit shutout ball. Jen Costa (15-3) picked up the win in relief. And Costa (1-3, R, HR, RBI) had the only hit for the Pioneers.
The Pioneers are 37-10. The next game is Saturday at 1:00 vs. either Central Methodist or Evangel. If the Pioneers lose, they will play again immediately after. A win sends MNU to the NAIA National Tournament in Gulf Shores, AL.
Game 1 vs. Evangel - W 11-7 |
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Game 2 vs. Central Methodist - W 1-0 |
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