The Basics
Score 1: MNU 2 – Columbia 4
Score 2: MNU 4 – Columbia 3
Records: MNU (5-11), Columbia (8-6)
Location: Olathe, Kan. - Dixon Stadium

OLATHE, Kan. – MNU split Saturday's home doubleheader with Columbia, dropping the opener 4-2 before rallying late for a 4-3 walk-off win in the nightcap. In Game 1, the Pioneers struck first in the bottom of the 1st when Ronnie Rowley launched a solo home run to right-center. Later in the inning, Noah Castillo delivered an RBI single to cap a three-hit frame and give MNU a 2-0 lead.

Columbia responded in the 2nd, rallying with 2 outs to tie the game. The Cougars then seized control in the 4th, stringing together three hits, including back-to-back RBI doubles, to take a 4-2 advantage they would not relinquish.

Game 1 Turning Point
Columbia's 2-run 4th inning proved to be the difference.

Game 1 Individual Leaders
Brailyn Cruz struck out 5 in 3.2 innings. Jaymal Bonilla struck out 6 in 3.1 innings of relief. And Ronnie Rowley (3-4, R, HR, RBI), Riggs Harper (1-2, R, BB, HBP), and Noah Castillo (1-3, RBI) led the offense.

In Game 2, the Pioneers rallied late for a 4-3 win in dramatic fashion. After Columbia opened the scoring with a run in the 2nd, MNU responded in the bottom half when Christopher Lugo crushed a two-run homer to left field, giving the Pioneers a 2-1 lead.

Columbia tied the game in the sixth and edged in front 3-2 on an unearned run in the 8th. In the bottom of the inning with 2 outs, Kaden Owens delivered an RBI single to right, scoring Lugo to knot the game at 3.

In the bottom of the 9th, the Pioneers capitalized on defensive miscues. After reaching on an error and drawing a walk, a Christopher Lugo bunt was thrown away, and MNU won 4-3.

Game 2 Turning Point
Kaden Owens' game-tying RBI single in the eighth shifted momentum back to MNU and set up the walk-off opportunity in the ninth.

Game 2 Individual Leaders
Axel De Jesus struck out 3 in 1 inning of relief. Giancalro Cortez earned the win with 4 innings of relief. And Kaden Owens (2-4, RBI) and Christopher Lugo (1-2, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, HBP, Sac) powered the offense.

Up Next
The next double header is Friday vs. Doane at the Mid-America Sports Complex in Shawnee, Kan. at 11:00/1:30.