Pioneers Sweep Vikings

The Basics
Game 1 Score: MNU 2 - Missouri Valley 1 (9 inn)
Game 2 Score: MNU 2 - Missouri Valley 1
Records: MNU (11-3, 4-0), MVC (11-3, 0-2)
Location: Marshall, Mo.

MARSHALL, Mo. - MNU is 4-0 in the Heart after a double header sweep at Missouri Valley on Wednesday. In Game 1, the Vikings put up a run in the bottom of the 1st to take the lead, but MNU responded with a run in the top of the 2nd. The game remained 1-1 into the 9th inning as both pitchers stayed out of trouble. In the top of the 9th, Kaleigh Bayless led off with a double and Emma Ryan moved her to third. A Morgan Fouch ground ball scored the run, and MNU had a 2-1 lead. In the bottom of the 9th, Valley had runners on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs, but a groundout ended the threat and MNU took the opener.

Game 1 Turning Point
MNU's run in the 9th was the winner.

Game 1 Individual Leaders
Sarah Melodia went the distance, allowing 8 hits in the 9-inning complete game. And Cordelia Hanger (2-4), Kaleigh Bayless (2-4, 2 R, 2B), and Morgan Fouch (1-4, 2 RBI) had MNU's 5 hits.

In Game 2, neither team scored until the top of the 4th. Sirena Salazar led off with a single and Alli VanLanker followed with the same. After a fielder's choice, Emma Ryan's sac fly brought home the game's first run. In the top of the 5th, a Valley error led to a second run, but the Vikings scored in the bottom of the 6th to cut the deficit in half. In the bottom of the 7th, a leadoff single put pressure on the Pioneers, but a strikeout, groundout, and flyout ended the game and gave MNU the sweep.

Game 2 Turning Point
Valley's error in the 5th proved to be the difference.

Game 2 Individual Leaders
Alexis Wilds struck out 3 in 5 innings for the win. Allison Denges pitched the final 2 innings for the save. And Cordelia Hanger (1-3), Sirena Salazar (1-3, R), Alli VanLanker (1-3), Morgan Fouch (1-3), and Rilee Slycord (1-3) had MNU's 5 hits.

Up Next
The next double header is Saturday at home vs. Baker (13-6, 4-2) at 12:00/2:00.