The Basics
Score 1: MNU 1 – Columbia 3
Score 2: MNU 6 – Columbia 3
Records: MNU (4-10), Columbia (7-5)
Location: Columbia, Mo.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – MNU split a road doubleheader with Columbia on Wednesday, falling 3-1 in the opener before erupting for 4 runs in the 7th inning to claim a 6-3 comeback win in Game 2.
In Game 1, Columbia struck first and never relinquished control in the opener, using single runs in the 1st, 2nd and 6th innings to secure a 3-1 victory. Ronnie Rowley's 7th inning solo shot gave the Pioneers life, but no further comeback was mounted.
Game 1 Turning Point
Columbia's early production - single runs in the first two innings - forced MNU to play from behind all afternoon.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Preston Graber struck out 5 in a complete game loss. And Ronnie Rowley (2-3, R, 3B, HR, RBI, BB), Riggs Harper (1-3, 2B), and Kaden Owens (1-1, 2B, 2 BB) had MNU's 4 hits.
In Game 2, the Pioneers responded in the nightcap with a 7th-inning comeback. Columbia jumped in front on a 2-run homer in the 1st and added a solo shot in the 4th to take a 3-1 lead. MNU chipped away, scoring in the 3rd on an RBI single from Ronnie Rowley and again in the 6th when Kaden Owens drove in a run with a groundout after Riggs Harper tripled.
Trailing 3-2 entering the 7th, Jeremy Morales singled and Jonathan Phillips bunted him to second. Christopher Lugo singled to put runners on the corners, and Garrett Lester's double tied the game. A wild pitch put MNU in front, and a Kaden Owens sac fly made it 5-3. An error extended the lead to 6-3, and Jaymal Bonilla closed out the 7th for a Pioneer victory.
Game 2 Turning Point
The 4-run seventh inning flipped a 1-run deficit into a 3-run advantage.
Game 2 Individual Leaders
Noah Castillo struck out 6 in a 5-inning no-decision. Jaymal Bonilla struck out 3 in 2 scoreless innings of relief for the win. And Ronnie Rowley (1-3, R, RBI, BB, SB), Riggs Harper (1-3, R, 3B, BB), Kaden Owens (0-3, 2 RBI, SF), Jeremy Morales (2-3, R), Christopher Lugo (3-3, 2 R, 2B), and Garrett Lester (1-2, R, 2B, RBI, Sac) led the offense.
Up Next
The next double header is Saturday at home vs. Columbia at 12:00/2:30.
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