The Basics
Score: MNU 9 - Central Methodist 8
Records: MNU (29-24), CU (34-17)
Location: US Ballpark | Ozark, Mo.
OZARK, Mo. - The Pioneers trailed 7-1 in the 6th inning, but kept the season alive with a 9-8 victory over Central Methodist in the conference tournament on Sunday. MNU struggled to keep the Eagles off the board, as they scored 1 in the 2nd, 4 in the 3rd, and another in the 4th to build a 6-0 lead. The Pioneers started to break through in the top of the 5th, when
Dionathan Cornet led off with a double, Josh Martinez walked, and
Drew Woodley was hit by a pitch to load the bases. After a strikeout,
Brysen Hamilton's RBI fielder's choice made it 6-1. CMU got the run right back in the bottom of the 5th, and
Javier Melendez hit a solo homer in the 6th. The Eagles again scored 1 in the bottom of the 6th for an 8-2 lead, but the Pioneers started the comeback in the 7th.
Joshua Martinez and
Joey Calamaio sandwiched walks around a
Drew Woodley HBP to load the bases, and
Brysen Hamilton knocked in a run with another fielder's choice groundout.
Sean Maple followed with a 3-run blast, and MNU was suddenly back in the game.
Three more walks loaded the bases, and Cornet made it 8-7 with an RBI grounder. Thursday's starting pitcher
Tyler Frieders took the mound in the bottom of the 7th, and worked in and out of trouble for a scoreless inning. In the top of the 8th, Woodley led off with his 3rd HBP of the game, and Calamaio followed with a single. One out later,
Sean Maple's single up the middle tied the game.
A walk loaded the bases, and a
Javier Melendez sacrifice fly put MNU on top. In the bottom of the 8th, 2 singles brought in Friday's starting pitcher
Zach Trevino. A line drive double play ended the threat, and Trevino pitched a perfect 9th for the save.
Turning Point
Sean Maple's 3-run homer in the 7th sparked the comeback.
Individual Leaders
Tyler Frieders got 4 big outs in relief for the win.
Zach Trevino got 5 straight outs for his first save. And
Sean Maple (2-4, R, HR, 4 RBI, BB, SB),
Javier Melendez (1-2, R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SF), and
Brysen Hamilton (0-3, R, 2 RBI) drove in multiple runs for MNU.
Up Next
The next game is an elimination game in Ozark, Mo. vs. Baker (29-22) on Monday at 10:00. The winner needs to beat Grand View twice for the tourney championship.
