Pioneers Take 3 of 4 From #20 Clarke

The Basics
Score 1: MNU 5 - Clarke 4
Score 2: MNU 3 - Clarke 2
Score 3: MNU 0 - Clarke 1
Score 4: MNU 3 - Clarke 2
Records: MNU (10-11, 3-1), CU (8-9, 1-3)
Location: Creekside Baseball Park | Parkville, Mo.

PARKVILLE, Mo. - The Pioneers played four 1-run games and won 3 of them over #20 Clarke. In Game 1, Sean Maple led off the bottom of the 1st with a double and scored on a Noah Castillo groundout to give MNU a 1-0 lead. In the top of the 2nd, Clarke rallied for 2 runs to take the lead, but MNU answered right back in the bottom of the inning. After walks to Drew Woodley and Frank Vogel, Brysen Hamilton hit a 2-run double to give MNU the lead. Sean Maple and Javier Melendez recorded RBI singles, and the Pioneers took a 5-2 lead. The pitchers cruised through the next few innings until Clarke rallied for 2 unearned runs in the 6th to close the gap. Starter Zach Trevino recorded his 9th and 10th strikeouts in the 7th, and MNU won 5-4.

Game 1 Turning Point
Brysen Hamilton's 2-run double in the 2nd turned a deficit into a lead.

Game 1 Individual Leaders
Zach Trevino struck out 10 in a complete game victory. And Sean Maple (2-3, 2 R, 2B, RBI, BB) and Brysen Hamilton (1-2, 2B, 2 RBI, HBP) had big games at the plate.

In Game 2, Clarke scored a run in the top of the 1st, but a sacrifice fly tied the game and a 2-out RBI single from Javier Melendez gave MNU a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 3rd. Clarke tied it int he 4th, but a 2-out RBI single from Dionathan Cornet put MNU in front in the 5th. Reece Helland and Kristian Hurtado pitched a scoreless final 3 innings, and MNU held on to win 3-2.

Game 2 Turning Point
Dionathan Cornet's 2-out RBI single in the 5th was the game winner.

Game 2 Individual Stats
Reece Helland struck out 2 in an inning of relief for the win. Kristian Hurtado pitched the last 2 innings for the save. And Sean Maple (0-2, RBI, SF), Javier Melendez (1-3, RBI), and Dionathan Cornet (2-3, RBI) drove in MNU's 3 runs.

In Game 3, both teams had a few scoring chances, but the pitching tightened up in the big spots and neither team scored until the top of the 5th. With 2 outs, a Clarke double was followed by an RBI single, and the Pride took a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the 6th, MNU loaded the bases with one out. But a line-out double play ended the threat. Another double play in the bottom of the 7th ended the game, and MNU lost 1-0.

Game 3 Turning Point
Clarke's 2-out RBI single in the 5th won the game.

Game 3 Individual Stats
Tyler Frieders struck out 10 in a 5-hit complete game loss. And Noah Castillo (2-3) had 2 hits.

In Game 4, the teams were scoreless into the bottom of the 3rd. With 1 out, Sean Maple singled and Brycen Sherwood doubled to put 2 in scoring position. Javier Melendez and Noah Castillo recorded back-to-back RBI singles, and MNU took a 2-0 lead. Sherwood's 1-out triple in the 5th was followed by another Castillo RBI single, and MNU led 3-0. Clarke loaded the bases and scored a run with no outs in the 6th, but an out at the plate, a strikeout, and groundout ended the threat with no further damage, and the Pioneers held a 3-1 lead to the 7th. Clarke threatened again in the 7th with 2 singles and a hit batsman to score a run. A bunt moved the runners into scoring position in a 3-2 game, but Bryce Brecklin struck out the next 2 hitters to end the game.

Game 4 Turning Point
MNU pitchers recorded strikeouts with a runner on 3rd and 1 out in the 6th and 7th to preserve the lead.

Game 4 Individual Stats
Ryan Wilwers struck out 4 in 3.2 scoreless innings in a no-decision. Reece Helland picked up his 2nd win of the series with 1.1 innings of relief. Bryce Brecklin struck out 2 in the 7th for his first save. And Sean Maple (2-3, R), Brycen Sherwood (3-3, 2 R, 2B, 3B), Javier Melendez (1-2, RBI, HBP), and Noah Castillo (2-3, 2 RBI) got MNU's 8 hits.

Up Next
The next double header is scheduled for Friday/Saturday at home vs. Central Methodist at 1:00/3:30, but check the website for updates.