The Basics
Game 1 Score: MNU 8 - Baker 6
Game 2 Score: MNU 5 - Grand View 11
Records: MNU (30-25)
Location: US Ballpark | Ozark, Mo.
OZARK, Mo. - The Pioneers scored early and controlled the game in a Nationals-clinching 8-6 victory over Baker in the conference tournament on Monday. The win moves MNU into the championship round, which guarantees the Pioneers a spot at Nationals.
Sean Maple started the bottom of the 1st with a double, and scored 1 out later on a
Javier Melendez RBI single.
Noah Castillo followed with a 2-run homer, and MNU took a 3-0 lead.
Baker scored a run in the top of the 2nd and had 2 runners on with 2 outs, but Thursday starter and Sunday reliever
Tyler Frieders took the mound and shut down the Wildcats. He closed the 2nd inning, then breezed through the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th innings before finally giving way to
Bryce Brecklin in the 7th. Meanwhile,
Brycen Sherwood extended the lead with a 2-out 2-run single in the 4th, and Melendez, Castillo, and
Drew Woodley recorded RBI singles in the 6th to push the lead to 8-1. Baker made some noise with a solo homer in the 7th, a 2-out 2-run single in the 8th, and a 2-run homer in the 9th. But Friday starter and Sunday reliever
Zach Trevino held off Baker to seal the win.
Game 1 Turning Point
Noah Castillo's 2-run homer in the 1st inning set the tone.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Ryan Wilwers struck out 3 in 1.2 innings as the opener.
Tyler Frieders earned his 10th win with 4 strikeouts in 4.1 innings.
Zach Trevino got the final 5 outs. And
Sean Maple (2-4, R, 2 2B, BB),
Brycen Sherwood (2-5, R, 2B, 2 RBI),
Javier Melendez (3-5, 2 R, 2 RBI),
Noah Castillo (3-4, R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB), and
Drew Woodley (2-4, RBI) led the offense.
In the championship round, the Pioneers rested most of their starters but still put up a fight. Grand View scored 1 in the top of the 1st, but MNU rallied in the 2nd. With 1 out,
Joey Calamaio tripled and scored on a wild pitch.
Frank Vogel and
Mason Hunter singled, and
Sean Maple brought them home with a 2-run double for a 3-1 lead. Grand View scored 5 in the top of the 4th, however, and the Vikings pulled away to win 11-5.
Game 2 Turning Point
Grand View's 5-run 4th turned a deficit into a lead.
Game 2 Individual Leaders
Sean Maple (1-2, 2B, 2 RBI),
Joey Calamaio (2-4, R, 3B), and
Frank Vogel (2-4, 2 R) led the offense.
Up Next
The Pioneers await their seeding and placement in the Opening Round of Nationals. It will be announced on Thursday at 4pm central.
All Tournament Team
MNU -
Javier Melendez (3B) - MVP
MNU -
Sean Maple (OF)
