Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2
The Pioneers were dominated in Game 1, but picked up a come-from-behind win in Game 2 to split with Avila on Friday. In Game 1, Avila starter Aaron Baker allowed a bloop double to lead off the bottom of the first, and the Pioneers manufactured a run with a bunt and groundout to take the lead. But Baker retired the next 14 straight Pioneers while the Eagle offense scored 3 to take the lead. Three more runs cross in the seventh to put Avila up 7-1, and a mini-rally in the bottom of the inning led to no MNU runs and the Pioneers lost.
Clayton Brandt (1-2, R, 2B, BB) and
Joe Smith (1-3, 2B) got MNU's 2 hits.
In Game 2, Avila scored 3 runs in the top of the third, and MNU trailed 3-0 heading to the fifth. After
Josh Greer walked and
Dillon Moeller singled, pinch hitter
John Burgat smoked a line drive into the left-center gap to bring home both runners and cut the deficit to 3-2.
Joe Smith homered to lead off the sixth to tie the game, and 3 Pioneer pitchers each recorded an out in the top of the seventh to foil an Avila threat to set up the bottom of the inning.
Colin Starr reached on a walk, and two hit batsmen loaded the bases for
Joe Smith. A full count pitch sailed high, and the Pioneers earned the walk-off victory.
Sam Whim picked up the victory in relief. And
Joe Smith (1-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB) and
John Burgat (2-2, 2B, 2 RBI) drove in MNU's 4 runs.
