Box Score The Pioneers blew a 5-run lead in the ninth, but recovered to win in the tenth for a 6-5 victory over Culver-Stockton at the HAAC Championship Series in Joplin on Friday. MNU scored 5 runs in the top of the third when with 1 out,
Ricco Moreno and
Colin Starr singled. After an error brought the first run home,
Trent Sullivan was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
Jordan Eckley followed with a 2-run single, and
Carlos Vargas hit a sacrifice fly to bring home the 4th run of the inning. Two more Culver errors brought home another run, and MNU carried that 5-0 lead into the ninth. With 1 out in the bottom of the ninth, Culver mounted a comeback. Two singles and a walk brought home a run and knocked starter
Tino Luna from the game. Culver benefitted from 2 more walks and 2 hit batsmen before a single tied the game.
Santiago Romero finally ended the inning with a strikeout, but the game was tied at 5.
Clayton Brandt led off the tenth with a single and stole 2nd and 3rd while 2 walks loaded the bases with 2 outs. A strikeout should've ended the inning, but the ball got away from the catcher and Brandt scored to give MNU a 6-5 lead. Romero struck out 2 in a 1-2-3 bottom of the 10th, and MNU escaped with the win.
Tino Luna struck out 5 in 8 and a third innings for the tough-luck no decision, Romero picked up the win with an inning and a third innings pitched and 3 strikeouts, and Brandt (2-4, 2 R, RBI, BB, 3 SB) had 2 hits for the Pioneers.
MNU is 34-13. The next game is Saturday in Joplin vs. Peru State (32-17) at 4:00. Both teams are 2-0 in the tournament.
