The Basics
Score 1: MNU 6 – Graceland 0
Score 2: MNU 16 – Graceland 6
Score 3: MNU 16 – Graceland 5
Score 4: MNU 6 – Graceland 5
Records: MNU (26-11, 19-5), Graceland (14-30, 7-21)
Location: Chase Stadium | Lamoni, Iowa
LAMONI, Iowa – MNU extended its winning streak to 6 games with a dominant road sweep over Graceland, outscoring the Yellowjackets 44-16 over the weekend series.
In
Game 1,
Luis Lopez was untouchable on the mound, spinning a complete-game 4-hit shutout while striking out 11. The offense backed him with a flurry of early runs, including homers from
Kristian Crespo,
Javier Melendez, and
Sean Maple.
Game 1 Turning Point
Kristian Crespo's 2-run homer in the 2nd - his first as a Pioneer - broke it open and set the tone.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Luis Lopez struck out 11 in a 4-hit complete game shutout. And
Javier Melendez (2-4, R, 2B, HR, RBI),
Sean Maple (2-3, R, HR, BB), and
Kristian Crespo (1-2, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB) homered for MNU.
In
Game 2, MNU erupted for 8 runs in the 3rd and never looked back in a 17-hit, 16-6 blowout.
Drew Woodley hit a grand slam and drove in 6 to pace the offense,
Sean Maple homered twice, and five different players had multi-hit games.
Game 2 Turning Point
Woodley's grand slam broke a 1-1 tie in the 3rd inning and buried the Yellowjackets early.
Game 2 Individual Leaders
Adam Gray struck out 7 in 5.1 innings for the win.
Nate Uglialoro struck out 2 in 1 inning of relief. And
Drew Woodley (4-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 6 RBI),
Javier Melendez (2-5, R, 2B, RBI),
Kaden Owens (2-5, R, 2B, RBI, BB),
Sean Maple (3-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 2 RBI, HBP),
Christopher Lugo (2-4, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB),
Riggs Harper (1-2, 3 R, 3 BB), and
Brysen Hamilton (1-4, R, 2B, 2 RBI, HBP) had big games at the plate.
In
Game 3, another offensive explosion included a 9-run 4th inning.
Sean Maple homered again, and
Brentt Olmo and
Christopher Lugo also left the yard.
Logan Burbach picked up his second win, and the Pioneers clinched the series.
Game 3 Turning Point
Maple's 3-run homer jumpstarted the 4th-inning avalanche.
Game 3 Individual Leaders
Logan Burbach struck out 2 in 4.1 innings for the win.
Bryce Brecklin finished the final 2.2 innings. And
Brentt Olmo (1-4, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB),
Drew Woodley (1-5, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI),
Kaden Owens (3-4, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI, BB),
Willy Borquez (3-5, R, 2 RBI),
Sean Maple (2-4, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, BB), and
Christopher Lugo (3-4, 3 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, SB) had big games at the plate.
In
Game 4, MNU held off a furious Graceland rally after leading 6-1. The Yellowjackets cut the lead to one in the 5th, but
Reece Helland came on in relief and locked down his 4th save.
Game 4 Turning Point
A 3-run 2nd inning featuring a clutch double from
Brentt Olmo and a sac fly from
Drew Woodley gave MNU the cushion it needed.
Game 4 Individual Leaders
Owen Chaffin struck out 7 in 4.2 innings for the win.
Reece Helland struck out 6 in 2.1 innings for the save. And
Brentt Olmo (1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB),
Sean Maple (2-4, R),
Christopher Lugo (2-3, 2 R, HR, RBI, BB),
Riggs Harper (1-2, 2 R, 2 BB, SB), and
Brysen Hamilton (1-1, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB) led the offense.
Up Next
The next game is part of an MNU celebration of the retirement of president Dr. David Spittal, who will throw out the first pitch, on Tuesday at home vs. Missouri Baptist at 2:00.
