Thompson Reaches 500 Wins as MNU Takes Huntington Series

The Basics
Score 1: MNU 6 - Huntington 2
Score 2: MNU 4 - Huntington 6
Score 3: MNU 8 - Huntington 7 (10 inn)
Records: MNU (4-4), HU (1-2)
Location: Robbie Jones Field at Dixon Stadium | Olathe, Kan.

OLATHE, Kan. - Head Coach Ryan Thompson reached 500 career victories by winning the first game of a 3-game series vs. Huntington on Friday. In Game 1, Huntington scored in the top of the 1st, but the Pioneers took the lead in the bottom of the 3rd when Drew Woodley led off with a triple and scored on a Kaden Owens single. With 2 outs, Brycen Sherwood's RBI single brought home Owens and gave MNU a 2-1 lead. In the bottom of the 5th, Noah Castillo's 2-out 2-run single made it 4-1. Huntington scored in the top of the 6th, but the Pioneers put up 2 more in the bottom for a 6-2 lead. Starting pitcher Zach Trevino earned his 22nd career win, tying the all-time MNU record (Marty Atnip '93-96), securing Coach Thompson's 500th.

Game 1 Turning Point
Brycen Sherwood's 2-out RBI single gave MNU a lead they would not relinquish.

Game 1 Individual Leaders
Zach Trevino struck out 7 in 6 innings for his MNU career record-tying 22nd victory. Reece Helland struck out 2 in an inning of relief. And Noah Castillo (1-3, 2 RBI), Drew Woodley (1-1, 3 R, 3B, 2 BB), and Caden Owens (2-2, R, RBI, BB) led the offense.

In Game 2, Huntington scored 2 runs in the top of the 2nd, but single runs in the bottom of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gave MNU a 3-2 lead. In the top of the 6th, the Foresters rallied with 2 outs. A single tied the game, and a dropped 3rd strike extended the inning. A 3-run homer stunned the Pioneers, but MNU loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the inning. A potential game-changing grand slam was foul by a few feet, and a double play followed to bring home a run but dampen the threat. A flyout ended the inning, and MNU couldn't manage another run to lose 6-4.

Game 2 Turning Point
Huntington's 3-run homer in the 6th broke the 3-3 tie.

Game 2 Individual Leaders
Adam Gray struck out 5 in 4 innings in a no-decision. And Drew Woodley (2-2, R, 2B, 2 HBP), Brycen Sherwood (1-1, RBI, 2 BB, SB, HBP), and Brentt Olmo (2-4, 2B, RBI) reached base multiple times.

In Game 3, Huntington jumped ahead with a 2-run homer in the 1st, and MNU managed just 1 run through 6 innings. In the top of the 6th, the Foresters rallied for 5 runs to take a 7-1 lead. In the bottom of the 7th, the Pioneers loaded the bases with no outs to start a comeback. A sac fly brought home 1, and 2-RBI singles from Dionathan Cornet and Kristian Crespo got MNU within 1. Another sac fly in the 8th tied the game, and a clean 9th sent the game to extras. In the top of the 10th with 2 outs, the go-ahead run was thrown out at the plate, and MNU looked to walk it off in the bottom. Brentt Olmo led off with a double, Drew Woodley was intentionally walked, Brycen Sherwood was hit by a pitch, and Willy Borquez walked to give MNU an 8-7 victory.

Game 3 Turning Point
MNU's 5-run 7th got them back in the game.

Game 3 Individual Leaders
Bryce Brecklin struck out 5 in 5.1 innings. Alex Meyers struck out 3 in 2.0 hitless innings of relief. Reece Helland picked up the win and struck out 2 in 2.0 innings. And Brentt Olmo (2-6, 2 R, 2B), Drew Woodley (2-4, R, BB, HBP), Brycen Sherwood (1-1, 2 R, 4 BB, HBP, SB), Noah Castillo (1-2, R, RBI, 2 BB, SF), and Kaden Owens (2-4, BB) reached base multiple times.

Up Next
The next game is Friday at Oklahoma City at 2:00.