Pioneers Split with Valley

The Basics
Game 1 Score: MNU 8 - MVC 6
Game 2 Score: MNU 3 - MVC 9
Records: MNU (26-18, 17-14), Missouri Valley (27-22, 17-17)
Location: Williams Field - Olathe, Kan.

OLATHE, Kan. - MNU allowed 13 first-inning runs in a double header but still came away with a split vs. Missouri Valley on Tuesday. In Game 1, Valley scored 6 in the top of the 1st, but Emily Robinson's 3-run homer in the bottom of the inning cut the deficit in half. MNU rallied for 4 in the bottom of the 3rd to take the lead, and Valley didn't score again. Lydia Reyes capped the scoring with a solo bomb in the 5th, and MNU won 8-6.

Game 1 Turning Point
A 2-run error in the bottom of the 3rd tied the game, and Natalie Clark followed with an RBI single to give MNU the lead.

Game 1 Individual Leaders
Emily Robinson fought past the rough 1st inning and earned the win with 6 innings pitched. Kourtney Larson picked up the save. And Lydia Reyes (2-3, 2 R, HR, RBI), Emily Robinson (2-3, 2 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI), and Natalie Clark (2-3, RBI) had 2 hits apiece.

In Game 2, Valley scored 7 runs before recording an out and the Pioneers couldn't dig out of the hole. The Vikings won 9-3 to gain the split.

Game 2 Turning Point
A 7-run top of the 1st.

Game 2 Individual Leaders
Madison Butcoff (2-4), Lydia Reyes (2-4, RBI), Hanna VanLanker (2-3, R, SB), Natalie Clark (1-3, 2B, RBI), and Kaitlyn Leffle (3-3, RBI) led the offense.

Up Next
The next double header is Wednesday at home vs. Central Methodist (26-20, 17-13) starting at 4:00.