Pioneers Sweep Columbia

The Basics
Game 1 Score: MNU 13 - Columbia 2 (5 inn)
Game 2 Score: MNU 10 - Columbia 6
Records: MNU (15-5), CC (10-10)
Location: Columbia, Mo.

COLUMBIA, Mo. - MNU swept a non-conference double header at Columbia on Friday. In Game 1, a Kaleigh Bayless 3-run homer ignited a 6-run 3rd inning. In the 4th, Morgan Fouch added another 3-run homer for a 9-0 lead. Alli VanLanker drilled yet another 3-run homer, and the Pioneers won 13-2 in 5 innings.

Game 1 Turning Point
Kaleigh Bayless' 3-run shot in the 3rd proved to be the game winner.

Game 1 Individual Leaders
Sarah Melodia struck out 2 in the 5-inning complete game win. And Alli VanLanker (1-3, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Kaliegh Bayless (3-3, 3 R, HR, 3 RBI, HBP), and Morgan Fouch (3-3, 2 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, BB) all had 3-run homers.

In Game 2, the Pioneers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the 1st, but Columbia responded with 3 homers in the bottom of the inning to take a 4-3 lead. MNU tied it in the 2nd, but the Cougars hit 2 more homers in the 3rd to take the lead. In the top of the 4th, doubles from Alli VanLanker, Emma Ryan, and Morgan Fouch led to 5 runs, and MNU won 10-6.

Game 2 Turning Point
MNU's 5-run 4th turned the game around.

Game 2 Individual Leaders
Allison Denges struck out 2 in 2.2 innings for the win. Hannah Etzel pitched 4 scoreless innings of relief for the save. And Cordelia Hanger (3-5, 2 R, 3 SB), Alli VanLanker (1-4, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI, SF), Morgan Fouch (3-4, 3 R, 2 2B, 3 RBI), and Sirena Salazar (2-4, RBI) led the offense.

Up Next
The next double header is Saturday at Culver-Stockton (5-5, 1-5) at 12:00/2:00.