Pioneers Split in Baldwin City

The Basics
Score 1: MNU 10 - Dakota State 7
Score 2: Midland 3 - MNU 2
Records: MNU (4-3), Dakota State (0-5), Midland (2-7)
Location: Sauder Field | Baldwin City, Kan.

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. - MNU split a pair of nuetral site games over the weekend, rallying from behind to defeat Dakota State 10-7 before dropping a close 3-2 battle against Midland.

In the first game, the Pioneers overcame an early 2-0 deficit and erupted for a seven-run fifth inning to claim the win over Dakota State. After falling behind in the first, MNU responded with solo home runs from Drew Woodley, Willy Borquez, and Sean Maple to tie the game at 3. Dakota State then surged ahead in the fifth with a grand slam to take a 7-3 lead, but the Pioneers answered in the bottom half with their own offensive explosion.

Javy Melendez led off with a home run, and MNU capitalized on multiple wild pitches and key hits, including an RBI double from Christopher Lugo and a two-run single by Kaden Owens, to take a 10-7 lead. The bullpen, led by Bryce Brecklin and Reece Helland, shut down Dakota State in the final innings to secure the win.

Game 1 Turning Point
MNU's seven-run fifth inning erased a four-run deficit and put the Pioneers in control.

Game 1 Individual Leaders
Owen Chaffin pitched 2 innings of scoreless relief. Bryce Brecklin recorded 5 big outs. Reece Helland got the final out for the save. And Drew Woodley (2-4, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI), Javier Melendez (1-3, R, HR, RBI, BB), Kaden Owens (2-3, 2 RBI, BB), Willy Borquez (1-3, 2 R, HR, RBI), Sean Maple (1-3, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB), and Christopher Lugo (2-3, 2B, RBI, BB, SB) had big games at the plate.

In the second game, MNU took an early 2-0 lead against Midland thanks to solo home runs from Brentt Olmo and Sean Maple in the first two innings. However, Midland capitalized on a wild pitch and a clutch RBI single from Jalen Hardamon in the third to score three runs and take a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

Despite a strong relief effort from Nate Uglialoro and Giancarlo Cortez, the Pioneers' offense was stifled the rest of the way, managing only five total hits in the game.

Game 2 Turning Point
Midland's three-run third inning provided the deciding margin.

Game 2 Individual Leaders
Nate Uglialoro, Giancarlo Cortez, and Reece Helland combined for 4 innings of hitless relief. And Brentt Olmo (2-3, R, HR, RBI, SB), Willy Borquez (2-3, 2B), and Sean Maple (1-2, R, HR, RBI, BB) led the offense.

Up Next
The next series starts the conference schedule vs. #14 Central Methodist (6-4) at home on Friday/Saturday at 12:00/2:30.