Highlights | The Pioneer offense stayed hot with 25 runs in a double header sweep of Avila on Friday. In Game 1,
Phillipe Graham dominated the Eagles, allowing just 3 hits while striking out 10 in a complete game shutout. The game was well in hand after the second, when
Kelvin Perez's 3-run homer capped a 7-run inning. MNU scored at least one run in 10 straight innings dating back to last week, and led 10-0 after 3 innings.
Carlos Vargas added a 2-run double in the fifth, and the Pioneers took the first game 12-0. Graham picked up his fourth win, and
Clayton Brandt (3-4, 3 R, 2B, RBI, SB),
Jordan Eckley (2-2, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB, SB, SF),
Carlos Vargas (2-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI),
Kelvin Perez (1-4, R, HR, 3 RBI), and
Trent Sullivan (2-3, 3 R) led the offense.
In Game 2, the Pioneers scored a run in the first to take the lead, but Avila put together a big inning in the second. After a leadoff walk and 2 errors tied the game, 2 more walks and a hit batsman loaded the bases and gave Avila the lead. A 2-run single made it 5-1, but a bases loaded strikeout ended the inning. The Pioneers responded when
Tyler Taute led off the bottom of the second with a single,
Trent Sullivan walked, and
Blake Robberson's 2-strike bunt resulted in a base hit. One out later,
Jordan Jones reached on a bunt single and
Jordan Eckley's 2-run single got MNU within 1. A passed ball tied the game, and a
Carlos Vargas RBI groundout was the inning's 5th run and gave MNU a 6-5 lead. Starter
Santiago Romero recovered from a rocky first few innings and cruised through the middle of the game, retiring the final 8 batters he faced will the offense piled on. MNU scored 2 in the fourth, 2 in the fifth, and 3 in the sixth to win 13-5 and complete the sweep. Romero allowed just 4 singles and struck out 5 for his 3rd victory, and
Jordan Eckley (2-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, BB, 2 SB),
Seth Lieser (2-4, R),
Trent Sullivan (2-3, 2 R, RBI, BB), and
Blake Robberson (2-2, R, 2 RBI, SB, Sac, SF) had 2 hits apiece.
MNU is 19-14 (6-8 HAAC). Avila moves to 19-13 (8-4 HAAC). Games 3 and 4 are Saturday at home starting at 1:00.
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