Pioneers Split at Culver

The Pioneers were shut out in Game 1, but exploded for 16 runs in Game 2 in a split at Culver-Stockton on Wednesday. In Game 1, Culver scored a run in the bottom of the first thanks to a hit batsman and 2 errors. That was all the Wildcats would need as freshman Daniel Smith allowed just 3 hits and struck out 4 in a complete game shutout. Santiago Romero allowed just 3 hits and struck out 5 in a complete game, but the Pioneers lost via shutout for the first time this season.

In Game 2, the Pioneers unleashed an offense which had been held at bay for about a week. Three errors, 4 singles, 3 walks, and a hit batsman gave MNU 8 runs in the top of the first. Culver put up 3 in the third, but the Pioneers responded with 2 in the fourth and 3 in the fifth - highlighted by a Carlos Vargas 2-run homer - to take a 13-3 lead. The Wildcats scored 3 runs on 3 hits in the sixth, but MNU kept pouring it on with 2 in the seventh and another in the eighth to win 16-6. Blake Robberson moved to 3-0 with 5 plus innings of work. Zach Stinnett earned a 3 and two-thirds innings save. And Clayton Brandt (4-6, 3 R, 2B, RBI), Trent Sullivan (1-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 HBP, Sac), Jordan Eckley (2-6, R, 2 RBI, SB), Carlos Vargas (2-6, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI), and Santiago Romero (2-5, 2 R, BB) had big games at the plate.

MNU is 14-8 (2-2 HAAC). The next game is a 7inn/9inn double header on Saturday at Central Methodist (12-7, 3-1) at 1:00.