The Basics
Score 1: MNU 0 - Bellevue 1
Score 2: MNU 11 - Bellevue 8
Score 3: MNU 7 - Bellevue 19
Records: MNU (12-6), Bellevue (10-9)
Location: Robbie Jones Field at Dixon Stadium | Olathe, Kan.
OLATHE, Kan. – MNU dropped 2 of 3 against Bellevue, falling in a tightly contested first game before bouncing back with a thrilling victory in Game 2 on Thursday. And Bellevue took Game 3 on Friday in a slugfest.
In Game 1, MNU's offense struggled to find a run against Bellevue's pitching, falling 1-0 despite a strong performance from Luis Lopez. The only run of the game came in the 5th inning when Bellevue scored on a sacrifice fly. The Pioneers had opportunities but left seven runners on base. Lopez was stellar on the mound, tossing a complete game while allowing only five hits and striking out eight. However, MNU couldn't generate the run support needed to secure a win.
Game 1 Turning Point
Bellevue's sacrifice fly in the 5th provided the only run of the game.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Luis Lopez struck out 8 in 7 innings, allowing just 1 run. And Brentt Olmo (3-4, 2B, SB) had 3 of MNU's 6 hits.
MNU rebounded in Game 2, securing a dramatic 11-8 victory behind a clutch ninth-inning walk-off grand slam by Kaden Owens. The Pioneers rallied for four runs in the 2nd, highlighted by a two-run homer from Brentt Olmo. Bellevue battled back, chipping away and finally taking the lead in the 7th. A Sean Maple 2-out RBI single in the bottom of the 7th tied the game, but Bellevue took the lead again with a 2-out solo homer in the top of the 9th. In the bottom of the 9th, Brentt Olmo led off with his 5th hit of the day, and Drew Woodley followed with a double. After an intentional walk loaded the bases, Caden Owens launched a walk-off grand slam to claim the win.
Game 2 Turning Point
Owens' walk-off grand slam in the 9th secured the thrilling victory for MNU.
Game 2 Individual Leaders
Brentt Olmo (2-5, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI), Drew Woodley (2-5, R, 2B), Javier Melendez (2-4), Kaden Owens (2-5, R, HR, 4 RBI), Sean Maple (3-4, 2 R, 2B, RBI), and Willy Borquez (2-3, 3B, 2 RBI, Sac) had multi-hit games.
In Game 3, Bellevue's offense took better advantage of the gale force winds and exploded in the series finale, overwhelming MNU 19-7 in a tough loss for the Pioneers. After MNU took a 5-4 lead in the third inning behind a three-run homer from Willy Borquez and a solo shot by Sean Maple, Bellevue responded with relentless scoring, including an 11-run sixth inning that put the game out of reach.
Despite the lopsided result, MNU showed offensive firepower, collecting 13 hits, including a solo home run from Kaden Owens in the seventh. Drew Woodley, Borquez, and Maple each had multi-hit performances, but the Pioneers couldn't keep pace with Bellevue.
Game 3 Turning Point
Bellevue's 11-run sixth inning effectively sealed the game, extending their lead to 19-6.
Game 3 Individual Leaders
Logan Burbach pitched a scoreless 7th inning. And Brentt Olmo (2-4, R), Drew Woodley (2-3, 2 R, RBI, BB), Kaden Owens (2-4, R, HR, RBI), Willy Borquez (1-3, R, HR, 3 RBI, HBP), Sean Maple (2-4, R, HR, RBI), Brysen Hamilton (2-3), and Harper Riggs (1-3, R, 2B) led the offense.
Up Next
The next game is a single 9-inning contest at Mission (13-5) on Tuesday at 2:00.
