Pioneers Come Up Short in Tight Title Game

The Basics
Score: MNU 3 - Central Methodist 4
Records: MNU (35-16) - CMU (42-13)
Location: US Ballpark | Ozark, Mo.

OZARK, Mo. - The Pioneers finished runner-up to CMU for the second straight season after a 4-3 loss in the Heart Tournament title game on Tuesday. MNU got on the board in the top of the 3rd when Josh Torrance led off with a single and Ryan Leo was hit by a pitch. After a groundout moved both runners, Drew Woodley walked to load the bases. Brycen Sherwood singled to knock in a run, and Noah Castillo followed with a walk for a 2-0 lead. The Eagles rallied for 2 runs in the 4th to tie it, and the game remained deadlocked until the 7th. A 1-out RBI double put CMU up 3-2, and the next batter singled for a 2-run lead. The Pioneers appeared poised to score in the 8th, but a great throw cut a runner down at the plate, and MNU still trailed by 2 in the 9th. With 2 outs and nobody on, a Joshua Martinez pinch hit single kept the game alive, and a Sherwood RBI double put the tying run in scoring position. An error on a routine ground ball put the go-ahead run on base, but CMU found the final out to win 4-3.

Game 1 Turning Point
CMU's 2-run 7th proved to be enough.

Game 1 Individual Leaders
Devin Wagoner, Reece Helland, and Zach Trevino combined to allow no hits and no runs in 4.2 innings of relief. And Drew Woodley (0-2, R, 2 BB), Brycen Sherwood (2-5, 2B, 2 RBI), Noah Castillo (1-3, RBI, BB), Dionathan Cornett (1-3, 2B, BB), and Ryan Leo (1-3, R, HBP, SB) reached base twice.

Up Next
The Pioneers have qualified for National and find out on Thursday which Opening Round (May 16-19) they will attend.