Pioneers Split Series at Baker

The Basics
Score 1: MNU 6 - Baker 5
Score 2: MNU 7 - Baker 4
Score 3: MNU 7 - Baker 8 
Score 4: MNU 3 - Baker 5
Records: MNU (26-19, 19-9), BU (25-19, 17-10)
Location: Sauder Field | Baldwin City, Kan.

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. - The Pioneers used two comebacks to sweep a double header at Baker on Friday, but dropped both games of a double header on Saturday. In Game 1, Baker took the lead with a 3-run rally in the bottom of the 2nd. Brycen Sherwood got MNU on the board with a solo homer in the 3rd, but Baker answered right back with a run in the bottom of the inning. The Pioneers started the comeback in the top of the 4th when Drew Woodley's 1-out RBI double made it 4-2, and Sherwood's 2-out 2-run single tied it at 4. A Baker solo shot put the Wildcats up 5-4 in the bottom of the 4th, but Joshua Martinez tied it at 5 with a 2-out solo shot of his own. In the top of the 7th, MNU loaded the bases with 1 out, and pinch hitter Ronnie Nowack's sacrifice fly gave MNU a 6-5 lead. Bryce Brecklin worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the 7th to close it out, and MNU took Game 1.

Game 1 Turning Point
Ronnie Nowack's sac fly in the 7th was the game winner.

Game 1 Individual Leaders
Bryce Brecklin struck out 2 in 3 hitless innings of relief for the win. And Brycen Sherwood (2-2, 2 R, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB), Javier Melendez (2-4), Dionathan Cornet (2-3, 2 2B, BB), Joshua Martinez (2-3, 2 R, HR, RBI), and Drew Woodley (1-3, R, 2B, RBI, BB) led the offense.

In Game 2, Baker took a 3-1 lead with a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 3rd, and picked up another run in the bottom of the 5th to lead by 3. In the top of the 6th, MNU finally made some noise. Noah Castillo led off with a homer, Joshua Martinez made it a 1-run game with a sacrifice fly, and Drew Woodley tied it with a solo shot to left field. In the top of the 7th, MNU loaded the bases with 1 out before Dionathan Cornet's single to left put MNU up 5-4. With 2 outs and the bases still loaded, Drew Woodley's double down the line brought home 2 more for a 7-4 lead. Two walks in the bottom of the 7th chased starter Tyler Frieders, but Reece Helland retired the next 2 Wildcats to end the threat and complete the Friday sweep.

Game 2 Turning Point
Dionathan Cornet's RBI single in the 7th broke the tie.

Game 2 Individual Leaders
Tyler Frieders struck out 10 in 6.1 innings for the win. Reece Helland got the final 2 outs for the save. And Sean Maple (2-4, SB), Noah Castillo (1-3, R, HR, RBI, HBP), Dionathan Cornet (2-3, R, 2B, RBI, BB), and Drew Woodley (3-4, 2 R, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, SB) had big games at the plate.

In Game 3, it was Baker's turn to come back from a multi-run deficit. In the top of the 2nd, Drew Woodley's 2-run homer put MNU in front, and Caleb Eiguren and Sean Maple recorded RBIs for a 4-0 lead. Baker scored in the bottom of the 2nd, but Dionathan Cornet got it right back with a solo shot in the 3rd for a 5-1 lead. The Wildcats scored 1 in the 3rd, then rallied for 4 in the 4th to take a 6-5 lead. Another Baker run in the 5th extended the lead, but MNU threatened in the 7th. Noah Castillo and Ronnie Nowack singled to put the tying runs on base with 2 outs. Drew Woodley doubled to right field, but a perfect relay got Nowack at the plate to preserve the lead and win the game.

Game 3 Turning Point
Baker's 4-run 4th turned a deficit into a lead.

Game 3 Individual Leaders
Alex Meyers pitched a hitless inning. And Noah Castillo (2-4), Dionathan Cornet (3-4, 2 R, HR, RBI), Drew Woodley (2-4, R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI), and Caleb Eiguren (2-3, RBI) had multi-hit games.

In Game 4, MNU held a 1-0 lead into the 5th inning, but the Wildcats used 4 singles to rally for 4 runs in the bottom of the 5th. Noah Castillo's solo homer in the 6th made it 4-2, but Baker scored again in the bottom of the inning. The Pioneers scored a run and had the tying runs on base in the top of the 7th, but two strikeouts ended the threat and MNU had to settle for a series split.

Game 4 Turning Point
Baker's 4-run 5th turned a deficit into a lead.

Game 4 Individual Leaders
Ryan Wilwers struck out 7 in 4.1 innings in the loss. And Noah Castillo (1-3, R, HR, RBI), Drew Woodley (2-3, R, SB), and Joey Calamaio (1-3, 2B, RBI) led the offense.

Up Next
The next double header is Friday at Benedictine at 1:00/3:30.