The Basics
Game 1 Score: MNU 8 - Midway 3
Game 2 Score: MNU 2 - #7 UNOH 7
Record: MNU (35-19)
Location: St. Rita's Sports Complex - Lima, Ohio
LIMA, Ohio - MNU won the first game but fell in the nightcap on Day 1 of the NAIA National Championship Opening Round - Lima Bracket.
In the first game vs. Midway (Ky.), Jason Jones drilled the first pitch over the left field fence for a quick lead. A walk, a double, and a groundout made it 2-0 before MNU took the field.
Matt Terrones battled control issues in the bottom of the inning and Midway rallied for 3 runs on 3 hits, 3 walks, and 4 stolen bases to take the lead. But Terrones dominated the middle innings and retired 10 in a row. Lenzie Foley tied the game at 3 in the 4th with a 2-out double, and the game remained tied into the 8th. In the top of the 8th,
Isaac Geisinger led off with a single and MNU had a runner at 2nd with 2 outs when Foley again came through. His single gave MNU the lead, but Midway threatened in the bottom of the inning. An infield single and a fielder's choice on a bunt saw 2 on with no outs. After another bunt moved the runners into scoring position,
Joel Lopez was called upon to get out of trouble. A comebacker and a popout ended the threat and kept MNU in the lead. In the top of the 9th, MNU blew it open.
Jacob Jenkins singled, stole second, and scored on a
Robert Berning single.
Chase Robinson singled to put runners on the corners, and
Isaac Geisinger's sacrifice fly put MNU up by 3.
Christian Quinones followed with a 2-run homer to put MNU up 8-3, and Lopez closed out the 9th.
Game 1 Turning Point
Lenzie Foley's two 2-out RBIs tied the game and gave MNU the lead.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Matt
Terrones pitched 6.1 innings of 2-hit ball after the shaky 1st for his 9th win.
Joel Lopez allowed no hits in 1.2 innings for the save. And
Jason Jones (1-4, R, HR, RBI, 2 BB),
Logan Tills (1-4, R, 3B, BB),
Jacob Jenkins (1-4, R, BB, 2 SB),
Robert Berning (3-5, 2B, RBI),
Isaac Geisinger (2-3, R, RBI, BB, SB, SF),
Christian Quinones (2-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB, Sac),
Kelvin Perez (2-3, R), and
Lenzie Foley (2-4, 2B, 2 RBI, Sac) led the offense.
In Game 2 vs. #7 University of Northwestern Ohio, MNU allowed 4 runs in the top of the 1st and couldn't recover. The Pioneers managed single runs in the 2nd and 6th but UNOH won 7-2.
Game 2 Turning Point
A 3-run homer in the top of the 1st was all UNOH needed.
Game 2 Individual Leaders
Jacob Jenkins (1-3, R, BB),
Nelson Santiago (1-3, R, 2B, RBI, HBP),
Kelvin Perez (1-3), and
Lenzie Foley (1-3, 2B) got MNU's 4 hits.
Up Next
MNU awaits the winner of Tuesday morning's Midway/Middle Georgia State winner and will play at 4:00.
