The Basics
Game 1 Score: MNU 3 - Evangel 5 (8 inn)
Game 2 Score: MNU 0 - Evangel 1 (8 inn)
Game 3 Score: MNU 9 - Evangel 4
Records: MNU (7-9, 5-5), EU (14-10, 5-7)
Location: Robbie Jones Field at Dixon Stadium - Olathe, Kan.
OLATHE, Kan. - MNU dropped 2 extra-inning games to Evangel on Monday but won the finale on Tuesday. In the scheduled-for-7-innings Game 1, MNU scored in the 1st inning on a
Joshuan Sandoval double. Evangel took the lead with 2 runs on 2 hits in the 4th, but
Jeremie Gonzalez tied in with an RBI single in the bottom of the inning. In the top of the 5th the Crusaders scored on a wild pitch, but MNU tied it on an Evangel error in the 6th. The game remained tied into the 8th, and multiple freebies led to 2 Evangel runs. Two walks, a hit batsman, and 2 errors led to 2 runs, and the Pioneers lost 5-3.
Game 1 Turning Point
A would-be double play turned into 2 on and no outs in the 8th, and both eventually scored.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Joshua Crispin (2-3, R, BB),
Joshuan Sandoval (3-4, 2 2B, RBI), and
Will Morris (2-3) had multi-hit games.
Because the first game went into extra innings,
Game 2 - originally scheduled for 9 innings - was changed to 7. Both pitchers dominated, combining to allow just 6 hits and 0 runs through 7 innings. MNU had good chances to score in the 2nd and 6th innings, but came up empty and the game again went into extras. In the top of the 8th, a leadoff double led to the game's first run on a squeeze bunt. MNU put a runner in scoring position in the bottom of the 8th, but a double play ended the threat and gave Evangel the sweep.
Game 2 Turning Point
Evangel's run in the 8th was the difference.
Game 2 Individual Leaders
Austin Conour struck out 5 and threw just 80 pitches in a tough-luck complete game 8-inning loss. And
Joshua Crispin (1-4, 2B),
Jeremie Gonzalez (1-3, 2B, BB), and
Chase Robinson (1-2, 2 BB) got MNU's 3 hits.
In 9-inning
Game 3, Evangel scored 1 in the top of the 1st but
Joshua Crispin tied it with a mammoth shot on the first pitch of the bottom of the inning. Both teams scored 1 in the second, and the middle innings were scoreless. Evangel took the lead on a wild pitch in the 6th, and a bases loaded walk in the 7th put the Crusaders up 4-2. In the bottom of the 8th, Crispin led off with a walk and
Will Morris launched a game-tying homer to right. The floodgates opened and MNU rallied for 5 more, highlighted by a
Jeremie Gonzalez pinch hit 2-run single and an
Austin Healy 2-run single. Three Evangel popouts ended the game in the 9th and the Pioneers won 9-4.
Game 3 Turning Point
Will Morris' 2-run homer tied the game in the 8th.
Game 3 Individual Leaders
Austin Gooch struck out 5 in 6 innings in a no decision.
Brady Boyd pitched 2 innings of scoreless relief for the win. And
Joshua Crispin (1-4, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB),
Will Morris (1-4, R, HR, 2 RBI),
Nick Wagoner (2-3, R, 2B, RBI),
Cristian Rivera (2-4, R),
Jeremie Gonzalez (1-1, 2 RBI), and
Austin Healy (2-4, 2 RBI) led the offense.
Up Next
The next game is a single 9-inning game at home vs. Missouri Valley (9-15, 3-7) on Friday at 2:00.
