Pioneers Eliminated in Heartbreaker

Watch

The Basics
Score: MNU 10 - Concordia 11
Record: MNU (41-16) - CUNE (40-10)
Location: Brown Park - Omaha, Neb.

OMAHA, Neb. - The Pioneers led most of the way, but were stunned late in a season-ending loss to #19 Concordia on Wednesday. MNU took advantage of the Concordia starter's early control issues, drawing 4 walks in the top of the 1st to take a 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs tied it with a 2-out RBI double in the bottom of the inning, and MNU drew 2 more walks in the top of the 2nd but couldn't cash in. More control issues in the top of the 3rd saw the Pioneers with 2 runners on and no outs, and Josh Torrance drilled a 3-1 pitch over the left field fence for a 3-run homer and 4-1 lead. The Pioneers rallied for 2 more in the top of the 4th, but a 2-out 2-run double from Concordia trimmed the lead to 6-3. Josh Torrance hit a solo homer in the top of the 6th, and brought home another run with a 2-out RBI single in the 7th to make it 8-5. The Bulldogs fought back again with a 2-run homer in the bottom of the 7th, and the Pioneers clung to an 8-7 lead. When the first 2 Bulldogs reached in the bottom of the 8th, MNU called on Monday's starter Jhon Vargas - who threw 99 pitches just 2 days ago - to put out the fire. After a fielder's choice and a 3-pitch strikeout, Concordia ambushed a first-pitch curve ball and crushed a 3-run homer for a stunning 10-8 lead heading to the 9th.

The Pioneers hardly went quietly. Adam Rellihan reached on a walk and promptly stole second. With 1 out, Daunte Freeman reached on an error to put runners at the corners. Ryan Leo nailed the first pitch into the right-center gap, scoring Rellihan and pinch runner Joey Calamaio to tie the game. MNU couldn't push any more across, however, and Vargas valiantly took the mound again in the bottom of the 9th. With one out, a bloop single followed by a bunt single put 2 runners on. A wild pitch moved the runners up, and an intentional walk loaded the bases. On the first pitch, Concordia lined the game-winner down the left field line, and MNU's season came to an end.

Turning Point
Concordia's 3-run homer in the bottom of the 8th turned the game around.

Individual Leaders
Easten Garrett struck out 4 in 5 innings for a no-decision. And Adam Rellihan (1-4, 3 R, 2B, 2 BB, SB), Daunte Freeman (3-5, 3 R, 2B, RBI, BB), Ryan Leo (1-2, R, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 BB, HBP), Josh Torrance (3-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 BB), and Austin Healy (2-5, SB) led the offense.

Up Next
The next game is the 2022 season opener.

Season Recap