Pioneers Swept at #18 MACU

The Basics
Score 1: MNU 1 - Mid-America Christian 8
Score 2: MNU 2 - Mid-America Christian 5
Score 3: MNU 4 - Mid-America Christian 7
Records: MNU (26-14), MACU (29-9)
Location: MACU Field | Oklahoma City, Okla.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The Pioneers were swept in a 3-game non-conference series at #18 Mid-America Christian on Friday and Saturday. In Game 1, MNU jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 1st when Brycen Sherwood hit a solo homer, but the Evangels rallied for 5 in the bottom of the 2nd. MACU scored 2 in the 5th and another in the 6th as the MNU offense couldn't get anything going in an 8-1 loss.

Game 1 Turning Point
MACU's 5-run 2nd inning put them up for good.

Game 1 Individual Leaders
Brycen Sherwood (1-3, R, HR, RBI) accounted for MNU's only run.

In Game 2, MACU put up a big number early with 4 runs on 4 hits in the bottom of the 1st. Four walks in the 2nd made it 5-0, and MNU couldn't come back. Willy Borquez homered in the top of the 5th for MNU's first run, and the Pioneers rallied for another in the frame before a double play ended the threat in a 5-2 loss.

Game 2 Turning Point
MACU's big 1st inning was all they needed.

Game 2 Individual Leaders
Jackson Noland allowed just 2 hits in 3.2 innings of scoreless relief. And Drew Woodley (1-3, 2B, BB), Brycen Sherwood (3-4, RBI), Willy Borquez (1-3, R, HR, RBI), and Joshua Martinez (1-1, 2B) recorded MNU's 6 hits.

In Game 3, both teams scored 1 in the 1st, but the starting pitchers matched goose eggs for the next 3 innings. In the top of the 5th, the Pioneers broke through. A single and back-to-back bunts loaded the bases with nobody out. Noah Castillo's 1-out 2-run double gave MNU a 3-1 lead, and a Kaden Owens sacrifice fly made it 4-1. In the bottom of the 6th, MACU rallied for 3 runs to tie the game, then did the same in the bottom of the 8th to take the lead. The Pioneers went 1-2-3 in the 9th, and the Evangels completed the sweep.

Game 3 Turning Point
MACU's 2-out 2-run single in the 6th tied the game.

Game 3 Individual Leaders
Noah Castillo struck out 5 and allowed no earned runs in 4.1 innings of a no-decision. Kristian Hurtado struck out 2 in an inning of relief. And Noah Castillo (2-3, 2B, 3 RBI, BB) and Sean Maple (2-4, 2B) had 2 hits apiece.

Up Next
The next double header is Friday at Clarke at 1:00/3:30.