Game 1 Box The Pioneers had their 10-game winning streak snapped but bounced back with a big comeback win in a double header split vs. Central Methodist on Saturday. In Game 1,
Alex Murrieta got MNU on the board with a 2-out triple in front of a an error to put the Pioneers up 1-0 in the 2nd inning. The score remained 1-0 until the Eagles tied the game after a leadoff walk and a throwing error on a bunt attempt. CMU finally got separation with a 2-out 2-run double in the 6th, then blew it open with 4 runs in the 7th to account for a 7-1 victory over the Pioneers.
Derek Glenn (1-2, HBP),
Colin Starr (1-3), and
Alex Murrieta (1-3, R, 3B) had MNU's 3 hits.
Game 2 Box In Game 2, the Pioneers ran into another hot pitcher who struck out 7 in 4 innings before CMU rallied for 3 runs on 4 hits in the 5th to take the lead. MNU threatened in the bottom of the inning and loaded the bases with 2 outs, but another strikeout ended what seemed like the Pioneers' best chance. In the bottom of the 6th, back-to-back doubles from
Kyle Segraves and
Ben Alison broke the ice, and
Alex Murrieta drove home Alison to get the Pioneers within 1. The score remained 3-2 in the bottom of the 7th when
Timothy Barraza led off by reaching on an error.
Kevin Liddle advanced the runner with a bunt, and a strikeout set the stage for
Derek Glenn. Glenn fought back from an 0-2 count and nailed a single to center to tie the game. Reliever
Justin Huggins held the Eagles at bay for 4 innings, and Glenn started the offense with one out in the bottom of the 9th. After a Glenn single,
Colin Starr was hit by a pitch. One out later,
Ben Alison nailed a 2-strike pitch into left field to send the Pioneer faithful home happy.
Huggins (4-0) picked up the win in relief. And
Derek Glenn (3-5, R, 2B, RBI),
Ben Alison (2-5, R, 2B, 2 RBI), and
Alex Murrieta (2-3, 2B, RBI, BB) had multi-hit games.
The Pioneers are 17-6 (3-1 HAAC). The next game is a double header at Missouri Valley (3-16, 1-3) on Tuesday at 1:00.
