The Basics
Score: MNU 8 - Mt. Mercy 4
Records: MNU (33-16), MMU (23-26)
Location: Ozark Mountain Sports Complex | Ozark, Mo.
OZARK, Mo. - 2-seed MNU beat the 8-seed William Penn 8-4 in the Heart Conference Tournament on Saturday. The Pioneers scored single runs in the first 2 innings to take a 2-0 lead, but Penn rallied for 2 in the bottom of the 2nd to tie it.
Drew Woodley's 2-out RBI single gave MNU a 3-2 lead in the top of the 4th, and a
Kristian Crespo safety squeeze in the 7th made it 4-2. The Statesmen rallied for 2 in the 7th to tie the game at 4, but a
Noah Castillo bomb in the top of the 8th gave the lead back to the Pioneers. With 2 outs and 2 on,
Joshua Martinez ripped a pinch hit 2-run triple to the wall, and the lead swelled to 7-4.
Brysen Hamilton's 2-out RBI single in the top of the 9th put MNU up 8-4, and
Reece Helland pitched a clean bottom of the 9th for the 8-4 victory.
Turning Point
Noah Castillo's homer in the 8th put MNU up for good.
Individual Leaders
Zach Trevino struck out 5 in 7.1 innings for the win.
Kristian Hurtado and
Reece Helland retired the final 5 batters in order. And
Noah Castillo (2-5, R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI),
Brysen Hamilton (2-3, R, RBI),
Dionathan Cornet (2-3, R, RBI),
Willy Borquez (2-4, R, 2B),
Drew Woodley (2-4, RBI, SB),
Kristian Crespo (0-1, 2 RBI, SF, Sac), and
Joshua Martinez (1-1, 3B, 2 RBI) led the offense.
Up Next
The Pioneers face 3-seed Mt. Mercy on Saturday at 1:30.
