The Basics
Score 1: MNU 3 - Baker 2
Score 2: MNU 4 - Baker 1
Score 3: MNU 12 - Baker 6
Score 4: MNU 9 - Baker 11
Records: MNU (32-16, 25-7), BU (20-26, 15-15)
Location: Dixon Stadium | Olathe, Kan.
OLATHE, Kan. - The Pioneers won 3 our of 4 in a series vs. Baker this week. In
Game 1, the MNU offense was stymied through 6 innings while Baker managed a single run in the 1st and a solo homer in the 4th for a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the 7th, pinch hitter
Joshua Martinez led off with a single, and
Brentt Olmo followed with a base hit to put the tying runs on base.
Brycen Sherwood followed with a sac bunt, and
Javier Melendez tie the game with a single up the middle. With 2 outs, pinch hitter
Sean Maple double to the wall, and pinch runner
Sam Cloud scored from first to win the game.
Game 1 Turning Point
Javier Melendez's 2-run single in the 7th tied the game.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Zach Trevino struck out 4 in a complete game victory. And
Javier Melendez (1-4, 2 RBI) and
Sean Maple (1-1, 2B, RBI) drove in MNU's 3 runs.
In
Game 2, the game was scoreless into the bottom of the 4th, when
Kaden Owens drilled a solo homer to put MNU up 1-0. In the bottom of the 6th, Owens struck again - this time with 2 men on - to open up a 4-0 lead. Baker made some noise with 2 outs, but MNU held on to win 4-1.
Game 2 Turning Point
Kaden Owens' 3-run homer put the game away.
Game 2 Individual Leaders
Jackson Noland struck out 4 in 2.2 innings.
Bryce Brecklin picked up the win 1.2 innings of relief.
Kristian Hurtado struck out 2 in the 5th inning.
Reece Helland struck out 2 in 2 innings for the save. And
Noah Castillo (2-3),
Sean Maple (1-2, R, BB), and
Kaden Owens (2-3, 2 R, 2 HR, 4 RBI) had big games at the plate.
In
Game 3, Baker jumped out to a 2-0 lead with a homer in the 1st, but the Pioneers scored single runs in the 1st and 2nd to tie it. Baker homered again in the 3rd, but the Pioneer offense exploded in the 4th. With the bases loaded and 1 out,
Noah Castillo hit a grand slam to put MNU up by 3. Baker got back in it with 2 in the top of the 5th, but
Kaden Owens and Castillo homered in a 6-run bottom of the 5th to blow the game open.
Game 3 Turning Point
Game 3 Individual Leaders
Bryce Brecklin struck out 2 in 1.1 innings of scoreless relief. And
Javier Melendez (2-3, 3 R, 2 RBI, HBP),
Noah Castillo (2-3, 2 R, 2 HR, 6 RBI, BB),
Brentt Olmo (2-4, 2 R), and
Kristian Crespo (2-3, BB) had 2 hits apiece.
In
Game 4, Baker took a 3-0 lead in the top of the 1st, but were held scoreless for the next four innings. MNU scored 2 in the 1st, 1 in the 2nd, and two 2-run homers from
Kaden Owens and
Brycen Sherwood in the 3rd and 4th put MNU up 7-3. Baker rallied for 3 in the 6th to get back in the game, but the Pioneers held a 7-6 lead heading to the 7th. Baker put a huge inning together, and a 2-out 3-run homer blew the game open. Trailing 11-7 in the bottom of the 7th, the Pioneers tried to send the Senior Day crowd home happy, and
Kaden Owens led off with a solo homer - his 5th of the series - to spark a rally. A walk, a double, and a hit batsman loaded the bases with no outs. But a sacrifice fly and a double play ended the threat with minimal damage, and Baker won 11-9.
Game 4 Turning Point
Baker's 5-run 7th turned a deficit into a lead.
Game 4 Individual Leaders
Brentt Olmo (1-2, R, RBI, 2 BB, SF),
Brycen Sherwood (1-4, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB),
Javier Melendez (1-3, R, 2B, RBI),
Noah Castillo (1-3, RBI, BB),
Kaden Owens (3-3, 3 R, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, BB),
Willy Borquez (1-3, 2B, RBI, SF), and
Kristian Crespo (2-3) led the offense.
Up Next
The next games are in the conference tournament next week. MNU is the #2-seed.
