The Basics
Score: MNU 6 - AU 7 (9 inn)
Records: MNU (30-21), Avila (34-22)
Location: Bill McKinney Heritage Park - St. Joseph, Mo.
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - The Pioneers season came to a close after a 9-inning loss to Avila in the conference tournament on Saturday. Avila took an early lead with 3 runs in the bottom of the 2nd, but MNU made a comeback in the top of the 5th.
Maddie Johnson led off with a double and
Lydia Reyes reached on a walk. Two outs later,
Hanna VanLanker singled to load the bases and
Kinsey Kiser followed with a 2-run single.
Natalie Clark singled to tie the game and MNU took a 4-3 lead on an error. In the top of the 6th,
Lydia Reyes singled home
Madison Butcoff to give MNU a 5-3 lead, but Avila rallied to tie it in the bottom of the inning. The game remained tied into the 9th until
Shelby Frans doubled home VanLanker with 2 outs to give MNU a 6-5 lead. In the bottom of the 9th, a single followed by an error put runners at second and third with no outs. After a popout, Avila executed a squeeze to tie the game. The next batter singled into shallow left, and Avila advanced to the championship round.
Turning Point
The Avila squeeze in the bottom of the 9th tied the game and didn't result in an out, setting up the winning run.
Individual Leaders
Maddie Johnson (2-3, R, 2B, BB, Sac),
Lydia Reyes (1-2, R, RBI, 3 BB),
Kinsey Kiser (1-4, R, 2 RBI, HBP),
Natalie Clark (2-5, RBI), and
Shelby Frans (2-4, 2B, RBI, BB) led the offense.
MNU ends the season 30-21.
