The Basics
Score: MNU 4 - Cumberlands 3
Records: MNU (35-27), UC (49-8)
Location: Harris Field | Lewiston, Idaho
LEWISTON, Idaho - The 10-seed Pioneers stayed alive in the 2023 Avista NAIA World Series with a 4-3 victory over 6-seed Cumberlands on Saturday. This marks the 1st World Series win in program history. MNU got on the board in the top of the 1st when with 1 out,
Brycen Sherwood singled and
Javier Melendez walked. With 2 outs,
Dionathan Cornet's chopper down the 3rd base line knocked in Sherwood, and MNU took a 1-0 lead for starter
Zach Trevino. With 2 outs and nobody on in the bottom of the 2nd,
Joshua Hinojos worked a walk to keep the inning alive.
Sean Maple followed with a 2-run homer, and the Pioneers led 3-0. Cumberlands answered with an RBI groundout in the top of the 3rd, but
Dionathan Cornet drilled a solo homer in the bottom of the inning to re-take a 3-run lead. A 2-out RBI double in the top of the 6th brought Cumberlands within 2, but Trevino pitched into the 8th with the lead. With 1 out in the top of the 8th, a walk and a double put the tying runs in scoring position and chased Trevino after 116 pitches.
Reece Helland entered the game and escaped the 8th with just an RBI groundout, and the score got tighter at 4-3. In the top of the 9th, Helland recorded the first 2 outs with a lineout and strikeout, but a walk and a single put the tying run in scoring position. A groundout to short ended it, and MNU escaped with the 1-run victory. All 4 MNU World Series games, dating back to last season, have been 1-run contests.
Turning Point
Dionathan Cornet's solo shot in the 3rd proved to be the game winner.
Individual Leaders
Zach Trevino got his 10th victory and esclipsed 100 strikeouts in a 7.1-inning 9-K effort.
Reece Helland got the final 5 outs for the save. And
Sean Maple (1-4, R, HR, 2 RBI),
Brycen Sherwood (2-3, R, BB), and
Dionathan Cornet (2-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB) led the offesne.
Up Next
The Pioneers play host Lewis-Clark State (34-17) on Monday at 1:35 central.
