The Basics
Score 1: MNU 2 - Benedictine 1
Score 2: MNU 8 - Benedictine 3
Score 3: MNU 4 - Benedictine 2
Score 4: MNU 9 - Benedictine 3
Records: MNU (22-7, 15-1), BC (9-23, 3-10)
Location: Dixon Stadium at Robbie Jones Field | Olathe, Kan.
OLATHE, Kan. - The Pioneers swept a 4-game series from Benedictine on Friday and Saturday. In
Game 1, MNU loaded the bases with 1 out in the bottom of the 2nd, and
Willy Borquez just missed a grand slam with a deep sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead. The Pioneers followed with a 1st and 3rd double steal for a 2-0 lead, but would be held scoreless the rest of the way. In the top of the 3rd, a single and double set up the Ravens with 2 runners in scoring position with no outs. Starter
Zach Trevino struck out the next 3 batters, however, and kept the 2-0 lead. More trouble brewed in the top of the 4th, when Benedictine loaded the bases with 1 out and scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit in half. After a popout and intentional walk, Trevino found another strikeout to end the threat and keep the lead. In the top of the 5th with 2 outs and runners at first and second, a single to center threatened to tie the game, but
Brentt Olmo threw the runner out at home to again preserve MNU's small advantage. In the top of the 6th, the Ravens once again had runners at 2nd and 3rd with no outs. Lefty reliever
John Barry was called upon to face BC's lefty leadoff man, and Barry won the battle with a strikeout. Closer
Reece Helland was summoned, and after a walk to load the bases, Helland struck out the next two batters to finish the 6th unscathed. The first clean inning of the game happened in the top of the 7th, and Helland earned the 5-out save in the 2-1 victory.
Game 1 Turning Point
MNU pitchers shut down huge scoring opportunities in 4 straight innings.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Zach Trevino struck out 8 in 5 innings for the win.
John Barry held the lead with a big strikeout.
Reece Helland struck out 2 in a 5-out save. And
Brentt Olmo (2-2, BB, SB) and
Kaden Owens (2-3, R, SB) had 2 hits apiece.
In
Game 2,
Brentt Olmo led off the bottom of the 1st with a single, and
Brycen Sherwood followed with his 237th career hit - a new MNU record (Joshuan Sandoval '18-'22) - to put two runners in scoring position with no outs.
Noah Castillo drove them home one out later, and MNU took a 2-0 lead. Benedictine scored in the top of the 2nd, but the Pioneers rallied to blow the game open in the 4th. Castillo reached on an error, advance on a wild pitch, and scored on a
Dionathan Cornet single.
Kaden Owens followed with a 2-run homer, and 4 more base hits extended the lead to 8-1 before the inning ended. The Ravens managed 2 runs in the top of the 6th, but could get no closer in an 8-3 final.
Game 2 Turning Point
Kaden Owens' 2-run homer put MNU up 5-1.
Game 2 Individual Leaders
Adam Gray pitched 5.2 innings for the win.
Bryce Brecklin struck out 2 in 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. And
Brentt Olmo (3-3, 2 R, RBI, BB),
Brycen Sherwood (2-4, R, 2B), and
Kaden Owens (2-3, R, HR, 2 RBI) had multi-hit games.
In
Game 3, the Ravens scored a run in the top of the 1st, but
Javier Melendez answered in the bottom of the 1st. After 2 walks opened the inning, Melendez drilled a 3-run homer to turn the game around. He followed with a solo bomb in the 3rd, but the Pioneer offense was stymied the rest of the way. The MNU bullpen was called upon in the 5th to maintain a 4-2 lead, and
Kristian Hurtado,
Logan Burbach,
John Barry, and
Reece Helland combined for 3 scoreless innings to take Game 3.
Game 3 Turning Point
Javier Melendez's 3-run homer in the 1st turned a deficit into a lead.
Game 3 Individual Leaders
Noah Castillo pitched 4 innings for the win.
Kristian Hurtado struck out 2 in 1 scoreless inning of relief.
Logan Burbach retired all 4 batters he faced.
John Barry recorded a scoreless appearance.
Reece Helland got the final out for the save. And
Brentt Olmo (0-1, R, 3 BB) and
Javier Melendez (2-3, 2 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI) led the offense.
In
Game 4, Benedictine again scored first with a run in the top of the 1st, and the Pioneers were kept off the board until the 3rd. In the bottom of the 3rd, three straight walks loaded the bases with nobody out, and
Noah Castillo drilled his third grand slam of the season to put MNU up 4-1. The Pioneers rallied for 3 more in the inning - highlighted by a 2-run single from
Kristian Crespo - for a 7-1 lead. Castillo homered again in the 4th, and a
Drew Woodley RBI double in the 6th accounted for MNU's 9-3 victory to complete the sweep.
Game 4 Turning Point
Noah Castillo's grand slam in the 3rd turned the score around.
Game 4 Individual Leaders
Bryce Brecklin got the win and struck out 2 in 2.2 innings of relief.
Logan Burbach,
John Barry, and
Reece Helland combined for 2.1 innings of scoreless relief. And
Brycen Sherwood (1-2, R, BB, HBP),
Noah Castillo (2-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI),
Kaden Owens (2-4, R),
Willy Borquez (2-4, R, RBI, SB), and
Kristian Crespo (1-3, 2 RBI, BB) led the offense.
Up Next
The next 4-game series is Friday and Saturday at #6-ranked Central Methodist (25-4, 11-1) at 1:00/3:30.
