The Basics
Score: MNU 10 - Clarke 5
Records: MNU (28-24), CU (29-17)
Location: US Ballpark | Ozark, Mo.
OZARK, Mo. - The Pioneers kept the season alive with a 10-5 victory over Clarke in the conference tournament on Saturday. Neither team found traction on offense until MNU rallied in the bottom of the 4th.
Brycen Sherwood led off with a walk, stole second, and advanced to 3rd on an error.
Javier Melendez followed with a single, and the Pioneers took a 1-0 lead. With 2 outs, Ronnie Nowack singled to move Melendez to scoring position, and
Drew Woodley followed with a single for a 2-0 advantage. Clarke finally broke through with a run in the top of the 6th, but Melendez got it back in the bottom of the inning with a 2-run bomb.
The Pioneers rallied for 3 in the bottom of the 7th to take a 7-1 lead, put up 3 more in the 8th - highlighted by a 2-run triple by
Drew Woodley - and the cushion was enough to hold off Clarke in the final innings for a 10-5 victory.
Game 1 Turning Point
MNU's 3-run rally in the 7th put the game away.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Ryan Wilwers struck out 5 in 6-2 innings for the win.
Bryce Brecklin struck out 2 in 1.2 innings for the save. And
Brycen Sherwood (1-2, 3 R, 3B, 2 RBI, BB, HBP, SB),
Javier Melendez (2-4, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI),
Drew Woodley (3-4, R, 3B, 3 RBI), and
Joey Calamaio (1-2, R, RBI, BB, Sac) led the offense.
Up Next
The next game is an elimination game in Ozark, Mo. vs. #20 Central Methodist (34-16) on Sunday at 1:00.
