The Basics
Score 1: MNU 2 – Park 0
Score 2: MNU 2 – Park 4
Score 3: MNU 7 – Park 6
Score 4: MNU 15 – Park 0
Records: MNU (32-14, 25-7), Park (23-18, 18-14)
Location: Robbie Jones Field at Dixon Stadium | Olathe, Kan.
PERU, Neb. – MNU split the first 2 games of a 4-game series on Friday, then swept on Saturday to take 3 of 4 from Park.
In
Game 1, both starting pitchers were stellar, but
Christopher Lugo's 2-run double in the bottom of the 2nd put MNU up 2-0. Neither team scored the rest of the way, and the Pioneers took the series lead.
Game 1 Turning Point
Christopher Lugo's 2-run double was the difference.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Luis Lopez struck out 9 in a 6-hit complete game shutout. And
Christopher Lugo (1-3, 2B, 2 RBI) drove in both runs.
In
Game 2, a 2-out 2-run single from
Willy Borquez put MNU up 2-0 in the bottom of the 1st, but the Pioneers were kept off the scoreboard the rest of the way. The Pirates rallied for 3 runs in the top of the 3rd and added another run in the 7th to take the game 4-2.
Game 2 Turning Point
Park's 3-run 3rd turned a deficit into a lead.
Game 2 Individual Leaders
Javier Melendez (1-1, R, 2 BB, SB) and
Willy Borquez (1-3, 2 RBI) led the offense.
In
Game 3, Park took an early lead with a run in the top of the 1st, but
Brentt Olmo led off the bottom with a solo shot to tie the game. Park took control with 2 runs in the 4th and a 2-run homer in the 5th, but MNU mounted a comeback in the bottom of the 5th. With the bases loaded and 2 outs, a wild pitch made the score 5-2. After a hit batsman re-loaded the bases,
Javier Melendez lined a double to the fence to clear the bases and tie the game. After another hit batsman,
Sean Maple drove home 2 more with a double, and MNU took a 7-5 lead. Park closed the gap with a solo homer in the 7th, but
Reece Helland closed the game for his MNU record-breaking 16th career save.
Game 3 Turning Point
MNU's 6-run 5th turned the game around.
Game 3 Individual Leaders
Reece Helland struck out 3 for his 16th career save. And
Brentt Olmo (1-3, R, HR, RBI, BB),
Javier Melendez (1-4, R, 2B, 3 RBI),
Sean Maple (1-3, 2B, 2 RBI), and
Riggs Harper (2-2, R, HBP) led the offense.
In
Game 4,
Owen Chaffin dominated on the mound while the offense put up multiple runs in 4 of the first 5 innings for a 15-0 lead. Chaffin allowed just 2 hits in a complete game,
Drew Woodley homered twice, and MNU took the series in a blowout.
Game 4 Turning Point
MNU's 2-run 1st inning was all they needed.
Game 4 Individual Leaders
Owen Chaffin struck out 11 in a 2-hit complete game shutout. And
Brentt Olmo (2-3, 3 R, 2B, RBI, 2 HBP),
Drew Woodley (3-4, 4 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI, BB),
Javier Melendez (4-5, 2 R),
Kaden Owens (2-4, R, 2B, 3 RBI),
Sean Maple (1-3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB),
Riggs Harper (1-2, R, HR, RBI, Sac), and
Brysen Hamilton (2-4, 2 RBI) led the offense.
Up Next
The next game is the
conference tournament. MNU is the 2 seed and will face the winner of the 7/8 matchup (Culver-Stockton/Clarke) on Thursday at 8:30.
Â
