Pioneers Dominate Mustangs to Advance

The Basics
Score: MNU 17 - Mount Mercy 3
Record: MNU (33-14) - MMU (32-18)
Location: US Ballpark | Ozark, Mo.

OZARK, Mo. - The Pioneers used a 14-run 3rd inning to put the game out of reach in a 17-3 victory over Mount Mercy in the Heart Conference Tournament on Saturday. The Mustangs got on the board in the bottom of the 2nd with a 2-out RBI double, but the response from the Pioneers was massive. Frank Vogel led off with a double and ended up batting 3 times in the frame. Dionathan Cornett followed with a game-tying RBI single, and Drew Woodley walked. Brycen Sherwood singled and Noah Castillo walked to load the bases, but a flyout resulted in the first out of the inning. Consecutive singles from Josh Torrance, Randy Fernandez, and Ryan Leo made the score 6-1, and a strikeout followed for out number 2. But 3 straight walks followed, and Noah Castillo's 2-run single made it 10-1. After a steal of home, Joshuan Sandoval hit a 2-run homer for a 13-1 lead, and Torrance, Fernandez, and Leo combined for the inning's 14th run. Starting pitcher Zach Trevino faced the minimum over the next 3 innings to prevent any hope of a comeback, and a handful of late runs resulted in a 17-3 victory.

Game 1 Turning Point
MNU's 14-run 3rd inning put the game out of reach.

Game 1 Individual Leaders
Zach Trevino pitched a 9-inning complete game with 7 strikeouts. And Noah Castillo (2-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB), Josh Torrance (3-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, HBP), Randy Fernandez (2-5, R, RBI), and Ryan Leo (3-5, R, 2 RBI, HBP) had multi-hit games.

Up Next
The next game is Sunday vs. Central Methodist at 5:00. The winner advances to the championship round and guarantees themselves a spot at Nationals.