The Pioneers maintained their spot atop the conference with a double header sweep of Peru State on Friday.
Box and Play by Play In Game 1, the Pioneers scored a single run in the bottom of the third when
Kevin Liddle led off with a double and advanced to third on an error.
Dillon Moeller's safety squeeze brought home Liddle and the Pioneers led 1-0. The score remained 1-0 into the 6th as both pitchers were excellent, but Peru State finally managed a run when a 2-out RBI double tied the game. In the bottom of the 7th,
Alex Murrieta led off with a single and
Donnie MacLeod pinch ran.
Colin Starr's sacrifice bunt moved MacLeod to second, and MacLeod moved himself to third with a stolen base. After an intentional walk to
Kevin Liddle, a failed squeeze put runners on first and second with 2 outs.
Derek Glenn followed with a 2-strike deep drive to right center which split the outfielders and won the game.
Tino Luna went the distance with 4 strikeouts for his 4th victory. And
Derek Glenn (2-4, RBI, SB),
Alex Murrieta (2-3), and
Kevin Liddle (2-2, 2 R, 2B, IBB) had 2 hits apiece.
Box and Play by Play In Game 2, Peru State got on the board first after a leadoff double, sacrifice bunt, and RBI groundout in the top of the second inning. MNU answered right back when
Josh Greer's 1-out double set up a great at bat from
Colin Starr with 2 outs. Starr fouled off several full count pitches before finally lining a single to left to tie the game. After a stolen base and an error,
Kevin Liddle infield hit gave the Pioneers a lead they would not relinquish. In the bottom of the third, the Pioneers picked up an unearned run to extend the lead, then scored another in the fifth to take a 4-1 lead. Starting pitcher
Trent Hedlund was the model of efficiency, cruising through the first 6 innings in under 60 pitches. Peru State led off the top of the 7th with a single, and closer
Justin Huggins came in to close it out. A double and a groundout brought home a run, but Huggins struck out the final batter and saved the 4-2 victory.
Hedlund went 6+ innings to improve his record to 4-2. Huggins earned his 3rd save of the season. And
Ben Alison (2-3, RBI),
Josh Greer (1-3, R, 2B, RBI),
Colin Starr (1-3, RBI), and
Kevin Liddle (1-2, RBI, Sac) led the offense.
The Pioneers are 22-6 (7-1 HAAC). The next game is a home double header on Saturday vs. Peru State (16-10, 3-5) at noon.
