Pioneers Fall to #12 Central Methodist

The Basics
Score: MNU 3 - Central Methodist 14
Record: MNU (33-15) - CMU (41-12)
Location: US Ballpark | Ozark, Mo.

OZARK, Mo. - The Pioneers fell behind early and couldn't catch up as #12 Central Methodist pulled away to win 14-3 in the Heart Conference Tournament. CMU advances to the championship round and awaits the winner of the MNU/Clarke elimination game. The Eagles scored quickly with a leadoff double and sacrifice fly, then used a 2-out nobody-on rally in the bottom of the 2nd to take a big lead. Two singles and a hit batsman loaded the bases, and a walk made it 2-0. An error on a pickoff attempt made it 3-0, and a wild pitched brought home the 4th run. A double and a single put CMU up 6-0, and the Pioneers couldn't come back. Trailing 8-0 in the 6th, the Pioneers scored twice. But the Eagles scored the next 6 runs to put the game away.

Game 1 Turning Point
CMU's 2-out 5-run rally in the 2nd was too much to overcome.

Game 1 Individual Leaders
Eric Navarette struck out 8 in 6.1 innings. Alex Meyers struck out 2 in 1.2 innings of relief. And Joshuan Sandoval (2-4) and Randy Fernandez (2-4, 2B, RBI) had 2 hits apiece.

Up Next
The next game is Monday vs. Clarke (38-15) at 11:00. The winner advances to the championship round and guarantees themselves a spot at Nationals. The loser hopes for at at-large bid.