The Basics
Score: MNU 4, Clarke 2 (10 inn)
Record: MNU (33-14), Clarke (24-27)
Location: Ozark Mountain Sports Complex – Ozark, Mo.
OZARK, Mo. – MNU needed 10 innings, but the Pioneers outlasted Clarke 4-2 Thursday night in the Heart Conference Tournament in thrilling fashion. With the score tied at two after regulation, clutch RBI doubles from Kaden Owens and Sean Maple delivered the go-ahead runs in the 10th, and reliever Giancarlo Cortez shut the door to push MNU into the winner's bracket.
Both starting pitchers were excellent, as Clarke's Dante Maietta and MNU's Luis Lopez dominated through 7 innings. MNU scored first with a 2-out bloop single from Christopher Lugo to drive in Sean Maple, who had doubled. In the bottom of the 5th, Clarke tied it with a 2-out balk, and made a huge threat to take the lead in the 6th. After a leadoff walk, Clarke singled sharply off of Lopez's leg, and it seemed his night may have been over. But with runners at the corners and no outs, Lopez stayed on the mound and found new life. Consecutive strikeouts kept the runners at bay and the score tied, and a weak popout ended the threat.
In the top of the 8th, Kristian Crespo drew a 1-out walk, Brentt Olmo singled, and Drew Woodley walked to load the bases. Javier Melendez followed with a sacrifice fly, and MNU took a 2-1 lead. Another walk finally knocked Maietta out of the game after 9 strikeouts and 122 pitches, and the reliever got the 3rd out with no further damage.
In the bottom of the 8th, a leadoff single chased Lopez after 8 strikeouts and 114 pitches, and Reece Helland took the mound. After a walk and a strikeout, a potential double play ball was thrown away, and the game was tied at 2. A hit batsman loaded the bases, but Helland escaped with consecutive strikeouts to send it to the 9th.
MNU left a runner in scoring position in the top of the 9th, and a 2-out triple in the bottom of the 9th created even more tension, but reliever Giancarlo Cortez induced a popout to send it to the 10th.
In the top of the 10th, Brentt Olmo led off with an infield single, but after 2 outs the Pioneers still had a runner at first. Kaden Owens skied a double off the wall, and Javier Melendez scored from first to give MNU a 3-2 lead. Sean Maple followed with an RBI double, and the Pioneers led 4-2. With 2 outs in the bottom of the 10th, Clarke drove a ball deep into left center, but Maple tracked it down and ended the game with a dramatic sliding catch to end the game.
Turning Point
Kaden Owens' 2-out RBI double in the 10th was the game winner.
Individual Leaders
Luis Lopez struck out 8 in a 7-inning no-decision. Reece Helland struck out 3 in 1 inning of relief. Giancarlo Cortez earned the win with 2 innings of scoreless relief. And Brentt Olmo (2-5), Kaden Owens (2-4, R, 2B, RBI, BB), Sean Maple (2-4, R, 2 2B, RBI, BB), and Christopher Lugo (3-4, 2 2B, RBI) had multi-hit games.
Up Next
MNU advances to face 3-seed Central Methodist (32-13) Friday at 8:30 as the Heart Tournament continues in Ozark.
