The Basics
Score: MNU 15, Missouri Baptist 12
Record: MNU (15-8), Missouri Baptist (20-8)
Location: Spartan Field - St. Louis, Mo.
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – MNU secured a thrilling 15-12 victory over Missouri Baptist in a high-scoring battle on Tuesday. The Pioneers struck early with three runs in the first inning, but Missouri Baptist responded with five of their own. Despite falling behind multiple times, MNU rallied late and came away with the win.
Trailing 5-3 in the 4th,
Drew Woodley's 3-run homer gave the Pioneers the lead.
Willy Borquez made it 7-5 with a solo shot in the 5th, but the Spartans rallied for 3 in the bottom of the inning to re-take the lead. An RBI fielder's choice tied the game at 8 in the top of the 6th, but MBU rallied for 2 in their half to take the lead again. The Spartans used back-to-back 2-out homers in the bottom of the 7th to increase their advantage to 12-8, but the Pioneers rallied in the 8th. With 1 out,
Brentt Olmo walked,
Drew Woodley singled, and
Javier Melendez walked to load the bases. A strikeout got MBU closer to ending the threat, but
Willy Borquez launched a grand slam to center, and the game was tied. After
Sean Maple was hit by a pitch,
Christopher Lugo followed with a bomb to left, and MNU led 14-12.
Jackson Noland pitched a scoreless 8th, and
Javier Melendez extended the lead to 3 with a 2-out RBI double in the top of the 9th. Back-to-back 2-out walks in the bottom of the 9th brought the tying run to the plate, but Noland escaped with a groundout to close the game.
Turning Point
Trailing 12-8 in the eighth,
Willy Borquez launched a game-tying grand slam, and
Christopher Lugo followed with a two-run homer, giving the Pioneers the lead for good.
Individual Leaders
Preston Graber struck out 7 in 4 innings of relief.
Jackson Noland picked up the save with 2 scoreless innings. And
Brentt Olmo (2-4, 4 R, 2B, BB, HBP),
Drew Woodley (2-2, 4 R, HR, 3 RBI, 3 BB, HBP),
Javier Melendez (1-3, 2 R, 2B, RBI, 3 BB),
Willy Borquez (2-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 6 RBI), and
Christopher Lugo (2-5, R, HR, 2 RBI) had big games at the plate.
Up Next
The next series is a 4-game set at home vs. Missouri Valley (10-15, 5-7) on Friday at 1:00/3:30 and Saturday at 12:00/2:30.
