Pioneers Split Series at Baker

The Basics
Score 1: MNU 3 - Baker 8
Score 2: MNU 4 - Baker 10
Score 3: MNU 7 - Baker 2
Score 4: MNU 16 - Baker 2
Records: MNU (13-6, 9-3), BU (9-15, 6-10)
Location: Sauder Field | Baldwin City, Kan.

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. – MNU dropped both games on Friday but salvaged a series split with 2 wins on Saturday at Baker over the weekend. In Game 1, Baker took advantage of a sloppy MNU inning by scoring 3 runs on 1 hit on 43 pitches. Another run scored in the 2nd, and 3 in the 5th push the Baker lead to 8-0. MNU managed 1 in the 6th and 2 in the 7th, but the Wildcats took Game 1.

Game 1 Turning Point
Baker's 1st inning rally put MNU in a hole.

Game 1 Individual Leaders
Kaden Owens (1-3, R, HR, RBI) and Christopher Lugo (2-3, 2 RBI) drove in MNU's 3 runs.

In Game 2, MNU took a 1-0 lead in the 2nd on an RBI double from Brysen Hamilton, but Baker rallied for 4 in the bottom of the inning. Christopher Lugo homered in the top of the 3rd, but Baker scored 2 unearned runs in the bottom of the 3rd to take a 6-2 lead. The Wildcats kept the pressure on with 2 more in the 5th and 6th, and won 10-4.

Game 2 Turning Point
Baker's 4-run 2nd gave them the lead for good.

Game 2 Individual Leaders
Daniel Melendez struck out 2 in 0.2 innings of relief. And Willy Borquez (1-3, R, HR, 2 RBI), Brysen Hamilton (1-3, R, 2B), and Christopher Lugo (2-3, R, HR, RBI) drove in MNU's 4 runs.

In Game 3. Baker scored on a bases loaded walk and threatened for more in the 1st, but a double play prevented a big inning. MNU tied it in the 4th when Drew Woodley led off with a double and scored on a groundout. In the top of the 5th with 2 outs, 3 straight singles from Brentt Olmo, Woodley, and Javier Melendez put the Pioneers in front. MNU pulled away in the 6th with 3 runs on 3 hits, and iced it with 2 more in the 7th. Baker managed their first hit of the game with 2 outs in the 7th, but MNU won comfortably 7-2.

Game 3 Turning Point
Javier Melendez' 2-out RBI single in the 5th put MNU up for good.

Game 3 Individual Leaders
Logan Burbach and Bryce Brecklin combined for a 1-hit victory. And Brentt Olmo (4-5, R, RBI, SB), Drew Woodley (2-5, R, 2B, SB), Javier Melendez (1-2, 2 RBI, 2 BB), Willy Borquez (2-4, 2 R), Christopher Lugo (2-4, R, 2 SB), and Kristian Crespo (2-3, RBI, BB) had big games at the plate.

In Game 4, MNU put up multiple runs in each of the first 5 innings, and cruised to a 16-2 victory. Owen Chaffin and Nate Uglialoro combined to keep Baker from threatening, and Sean Maple had 4 hits - including 2 doubles and a homer - and 6 RBIs in the blowout.

Game 4 Turning Point
MNU started fast and kept scoring to build a 9-0 lead.

Game 4 Individual Leaders
Nate Uglialoro struck out 3 in 3.2 innings of hitless relief for the win. And Drew Woodley (3-3, 4 R, HR, RBI, HBP, Sac), Javier Melendez (2-4, R, 2B), Kaden Owens (3-5, 2 R, 2B, 3 RBI), and Sean Maple (4-5, 2 R, 2 2B, HR, 6 RBI) had multi-hit games.

Up Next
The next game is a single non conference 9-inning contest at Missouri Baptist (20-8) on Tuesday at 2:00.