Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
Great pitching and enough offense led to a sweep of Evangel in the opening HAAC series on Saturday. In Game 1,
Tino Luna faced Evangel's Blake McKnight, who came in to the game with a 0.89 ERA and 15 hits allowed in 40 innings. In the second inning, the Pioneers took advantage of a Crusader error and stole 3 bases to pick up 2 unearned runs. Luna dominated the game, scattering 3 hits and striking out 8 for his second shutout in as many starts. MNU scored another run in the third when
Dillon Moeller led off with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly, and Luna make it hold up for a 3-0 victory.
Tyler Meeks (2-3, R, SB),
Brad Law (1-2, RBI), and
Dillon Moeller (1-1, R, 2B, Sac) led the offense.
Game 2 was scheduled for 9 innings, and
Trent Hedlund pitched 7 strong frames and left with the score tied at 2. Evangel had a runner on 3rd with one out in the seventh after tying the game, but shortstop
Clayton Brandt's backhanded diving stop in the hole prevented the go-ahead run, and the game eventually saw extra innings. Both teams threatened in the extra frames, but the defenses held firm until the 12th.
Ricco Moreno was hit by a pitch with one out and advanced to 3rd on a
Joe Smith single.
Tyler Meeks ripped a ground ball to the shortstop's backhand and he was unable to make the play, sending Moreno to the plate and the Pioneers to victory.
Caleb Swartz (3-1) faced 4 batters in relief and retired them all for the victory. And
Ricco Moreno (2-5, R, HBP),
Joe Smith (2-6, RBI), and
Colin Starr (2-4, 2B, Sac) had 2 hits apiece.
MNU is 9-9 (2-0 HAAC). The next game is a double header at Culver-Stockton (7-10, 1-1) on Wednesday at 1:00.
