The Basics
Score 1: MNU 6 – Morningside 11
Score 2: MNU 7 – Saint Xavier 6
Score 3: MNU 4 - Tabor 3
Score 4: MNU 4 - College of the Ozarks 5
Records: MNU (2-2)
Location: Branson, Mo.
BRANSON, Mo. – MNU opened its 2026 season with a split on Friday, falling to Morningside before bouncing back with a tight win over Saint Xavier.
In Game 1 vs. Morningside, MNU drew 10 walks and managed a late rally, but it wasn't enough to overcome early mistakes and a relentless Morningside offense. The Mustangs scored in every inning, but MNU's big moment came in the bottom of the 5th, when Carter Manning ripped a 3-run triple to center to cut the lead to 2. MNU loaded the bases again in the 7th and drew a walk to make it 11-6, but a flyout ended the threat and the game.
Game 1 Turning Point
Morningside's 4-run 6th extended the lead beyond reach.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Jeremy Morales (2-4, 2 R) and Carter Manning (1-2, R, 3B, 3 RBI, BB, HBP) led the offense.
In Game 2 vs. St. Xavier, MNU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the 1st, but Saint Xavier tied it with 2 in the 3rd. A Carter Manning 2-run homer put the Pioneers back up by 2 in the 4th, but a 2-out rally in the 6th tied it again. MNU loaded the bases in the 7th, and all 3 runners scored on defensive mistakes. SXU threatened in the bottom of the 7th, but the Pioneers held on to win 7-6.
Game 2 Turning Point
MNU's 3-run 7th, fueled by walks and wild pitches, gave them the lead for good.
Game 2 Individual Leaders
Matthias Hardy struck out 3 in 2 perfect innings. Giancarlo Cortez picked up the win in relief. And Riggs Harper (1-3, 2 R, BB, 2 SB), Noah Castillo (1-1, R, 2B, RBI), and Carter Manning (2-3, R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI) had big games at the plate.
In Game 3 vs. Tabor, MNU clawed back from two deficits and used a late surge to take down Tabor 4-3. Trailing 1-0 in the top of the 4th, Kaden Owens launched a 2-run homer to give MNU the lead. Tabor responded with 2 in the bottom of the inning to take a 3-2 lead. Owens came up big again with 2 outs in the 6th, doubling home the tying run.
With the game tied at 3Â in the 8th, Ronnie Rowley's bunt single set the table, and Riggs Harper followed with a double to right, plating the eventual winning run. The MNU bullpen held firm down the stretch, with Matt Hardy striking out three in two innings of scoreless relief to pick up the win.
Turning Point
Harper's RBI double in the top of the 8th gave MNU its first lead since the 4th and proved to be the difference.
Individual Leaders
Preston Graber struck out 7 in 5 innings in a no decision. Aidan Kent struck out 2 in a scoreless inning of relief. Matthias Hardy struck out 3 in 2 innings of relief for the win. And Ronnie Rowley (2-4, R, 2B), Riggs Harper (2-2, 2 R, 2 2B, RBI, BB, Sac), and Kaden Owens (2-3, R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, IBB) had MNU's 6 hits.
In Game 4 vs. College of the Ozarks, both teams scored 1 in the 1st, but each starting pitcher settled in for 7 straight scoreless frames before the Bobcats scored 1 in the 5th to take the lead. In the top of the 6th, MNU loaded the bases with no outs. A double play tied the game, but no further damage was done. In the top of the 7th, Ryan Martinez led off with a double and was moved to third on a bunt. With 2 outs, a passed ball brought home the go-ahead run, and another rally made it 4-2. In the bottom of the 7th, CofOÂ had runners at the corners with 2 outs. An infield hit made it 4-3, and a walk and consecutive hit batsmen brought home 2 more to give the win to the Bobcats.
Turning Point
CofO's 3-run 7th doomed MNU.
Individual Leaders
Noah Castillo struck out 3 in 4 innings. Daniel Melendez pitched a scoreless inning of relief. And Ronnie Rowley (1-4, 2 R, 2 SB), Riggs Harper (2-3, R, 2B, RBI, BB, 2 SB), and Ryan Martinez (1-1, R, 2B) led the offense.
Up Next
The next 4-game series is Friday/Saturday at home (Mid-America Sports Complex) vs. Huntington.
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