Pioneers Sweep Sterling

The Basics
Game 1 Score: MNU 14 - SC 13 (8 inn)
Game 2 Score: MNU 9 - SC 1 (5 inn)
Records: MNU (7-4), Sterling (9-10)
Location: Williams Field - Olathe, Kan.

OLATHE, Kan. - MNU won a wild Game 1 then dominated Game 2 in a double header sweep of Sterling on Tuesday. The first game was a back-and-forth affair tied at 6 after 5 innings. Sterling rallied for 5 runs in the top of the 6th, highlighted by a 3-run homer, but MNU answered right back with a 5-run bottom of the inning to tie it. Sterling scored twice in the international tie break top of the 8th, but Jessica Molina's RBI double tied the game, and Madison Butcoff singled to bring home the winning run.

Game 1 Turning Point
Jessica Molina tied the game with 2 outs in the 6th and with 2 outs in the 8th.

Game 1 Individual Leaders
Jostyn Bebout pitched 3 innings of relief for the victory. And Madison Butcoff (3-5, 3 R, RBI, BB), Lydia Reyes (2-4, RBI), Megan Anthony (2-3, R, 2B, RBI), Hanna VanLanker (3-5, R, 2 RBI, 2 SB), and Jessica Molina (2-4, 2B, 3 RBI) had multi-hit games.

In Game 2, the Pioneers scored in every inning after the 1st and won via the mercy rule. MNU scored 2 in the second, and Lydia Reyes hit a 2-run shot in the 3rd to put the Pioneers up 4-1. Hanna VanLanker homered to lead off the 4th to spark a 4-run rally. And Maddie Johnson's 2-out infield hit in the 5th put MNU up 9-1 to win it.

Game 2 Turning Point
Lydia Reyes' 2-run homer gave MNU a 3-run cushion.

Game 2 Individual Leaders
Lydia Reyes struck out 4 in a 5-inning complete game victory. And Madison Butcoff (1-2, R, 2B, BB), Kinsey Kiser (2-4, R, SB), Reyes (2-3, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, SB), Natalie Clark (2-3, RBI), Hanna VanLanker (1-1, R, HR, 2 RBI, SF), and Maddie Johnson (2-2, R, 2B, 3 RBI) led the offense.

Up Next
The next double header is at home on Thursday vs. St. Mary (6-10-1) starting at 2:00.