The Basics
Game 1 Score: MNU 8 - Clarke 2
Game 2 Score: MNU 16 - Clarke 13
Records: MNU (11-5, 7-1), CU (14-8, 4-4)
Location: Dixon Stadium | Olathe, Kan.
OLATHE, Kan. - MNU performed an improbable sweep of Clarke on Saturday. The game was originally schedule to be played at Clarke, but field conditions forced the game to Olathe and MNU was the visiting team. In
Game 1, the Pioneers scored single runs in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th to take a 3-1 lead. Two more in the 5th put MNU up by 4, and a
Kyle Franklin 3-run homer in the 7th blew it open.
Game 1 Turning Point
Ryan Leo's solo homer in the 2nd gave MNU a lead they would not relinquish.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Jhon Vargas struck out 9 in a complete game victory. And
Randy Fernandez (2-5, R, 3B),
Will Morris (1-3, R, RBI, SB, HBP),
Kyle Waller (3-4, 2 R, HR, RBI),
Ryan Leo (1-4, R, HR, RBI), and
Kyle Franklin (1-4, R, HR, 3 RBI) led the offense.
In
Game 2, Clarke jumped all over MNU with 4 in the 1st and 5 in the 2nd to take a 9-1 lead. MNU responded with a 4-run 3rd - highlighted by a
Jackson Berck 3-run triple - but Clarke kept pounding and got 3 in the 3rd for a 12-5 lead. With 2 outs and nobody on in the top of the 4th, MNU started their comeback.
Will Morris walked and
Joshuan Sandoval tripled him home.
Kyle Waller followed with an RBI single, and
Ryan Leo's 2-run homer capped a 4-run inning.
Connor Jonas pitched 3 straight scoreless innings to keep the Pioneers close, and MNU had a huge rally in the 6th. Morris led off with a double, and Sandoval homered to get within 1. With 2 outs and 2 runners in scoring position,
Cristian Rivera singled to right-center to bring both runners home and give MNU the lead. With the bases loaded,
Will Morris won an 11-pitch at bat with a 2-run single, and Sandoval brought home another run to cap a 7-run 6th.
Connor Jonas finished the game for the win, and MNU won 16-13.
Game 2 Turning Point
MNU's 7-run 6th turned the game around.
Game 2 Individual Leaders
Connor Jonas earned the win in relief with 5 strikeouts in 5 innings. And
Randy Fernandez (2-5, 2 R, 2B),
Will Morris (2-2, 3 R, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB),
Joshuan Sandoval (3-4, R, 3B, HR, 5 RBI, SF),
Kyle Waller (2-4, 3 R, RBI, HBP),
Ryan Leo (4-5, 3 R, HR, 3 RBI),
Jackson Berck (1-4, 3B, 3 RBI, BB), and
Cristian Rivera (2-3, R, 2 RBI, BB) had big games at the plate.
Up Next
The next game is Wednesday at home vs. Olivet Nazarene (2-11) at 3:00.
