The Basics
Game 1 Score: MNU 5, Friends 2
Game 2 Score: MNU 10, Friends 5
Records: MNU (4-2), Friends (4-4)
Location: Williams Field – Olathe, Kan.
OLATHE, Kan. – MNU swept Friends in a doubleheader at Williams Field on Wednesday. The Pioneers rode a dominant 2nd inning in Game 1 and an explosive 8-run 4th inning in Game 2 to improve to 4-2 on the season.
In Game 1, MNU broke a scoreless tie with a 5-run second inning and never looked back in a 5-2 victory. After Senne Imel and Aariana Paprocki reached to spark the rally, Andi Clements drew a walk to load the bases. Dakoda Hobbs put the ball in play and Imel came home on a Friends error to open the scoring. Tuscani Ritter followed with a 2-run single up the middle, and Danica Hobbs and Lailah Simmons each added RBI singles to cap the frame.
That outburst was more than enough support for Mandy Brown, who tossed a complete game, allowing just two unearned runs on two hits while striking out 10. Friends pushed across a pair of runs in the fourth, both unearned, but Brown limited further damage and closed the door over the final three innings to secure the win .
Game 1 Turning Point
MNU's 5-run second inning was enough.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Mandy Brown struck out 10 in a complete-game victory. And Aariana Paprocki (2-3, R), Andi Clements (1-2, R, 2B, BB), and Tuscani Ritter (1-3, R, 2 RBI) led the offense.
Game 2 saw the Pioneers respond after falling behind early, erupting for 8 runs in the 4th inning to power a 10-5 win and complete the sweep. Friends struck first with 2 runs in the opening frame, but MNU chipped away with an RBI single from Lailah Simmons in the 3rd to cut the deficit in half.
The 4th inning proved decisive. Dakoda Hobbs delivered a 2-run double to give MNU its first lead, and the Pioneers maintained the rally. Simmons added another RBI single, Molly Nicas contributed a sacrifice fly, Aariana Paprocki knocked in 2 with a single, and Elayna Goff capped the inning with an RBI base hit. By the time the dust settled, MNU had sent 12 batters to the plate and turned a 1-run deficit into a commanding 9-2 advantage .
Friends attempted to chip away with 2Â runs in the 5th and another in the 7th, but MNU answered with a sacrifice fly from Dakoda Hobbs in the 6th to maintain control. In the circle, Brie Manwarren earned the win, working 5 innings with 5 strikeouts, and Grace Berlage closed out the final two frames to secure the sweep .
Game 2 Turning Point
The eight-run fourth inning flipped a 2-1 deficit into a 9-2 lead.
Game 2 Individual Leaders
Brie Manwarren struck out 5 in 5 innings for the win. Grace Berlage struck out 2 in 2 innings of relief. And Lailah Simmons (2-4, R, 2 RBI), Molly Nicas (2-2, RBI, SF), Senne Imel (1-1, 3 R, 3 BB), Aariana Paprocki (3-4, R, 2 RBI), Elayna Goff (2-4, R, RBI), and Dakoda Hobbs (1-3, R, 2B, 3 RBI, SF) had big games at the plate.
Up Next
The next double header is Thursday at home vs. Cottey College at 2:00/4:00.
