The Basics
Score 1: MNU 7 – Clarke 3
Score 2: MNU 5 – Clarke 7
Records: MNU (13-7, 1-1), Clarke (10-12, 1-1)
Location: Dubuque, Iowa – Veterans Memorial
DUBUQUE, Iowa – MNU opened conference play with a split against Clarke on Friday. In Game 1, MNU broke a scoreless tie in the 3rd inning. After Dakoda Hobbs reached base and Tuscani Ritter doubled to left center, Brie Manwarren delivered a sacrifice fly to right field to score Hobbs and give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead.
The Pioneers added to the lead in the 6th inning. Aariana Paprocki and Elayna Goff each reached base before Ritter doubled to left field to bring both runners home and extend the advantage to 3-0.
MNU broke the game open in the 7th inning with 4 runs. After Brie Manwarren doubled and Lailah Simmons was hit by a pitch, Senne Imel singled to center field to score two runs. Later in the inning, Ritter drew a bases-loaded walk and Danica Hobbs added an RBI single to push the lead to 7-0.
Clarke responded with a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 7th, but Mandy Brown closed out the complete-game effort to secure the 7-3 victory for the Pioneers.
Game 1 Turning Point
The 4-run 7th inning provided the necessary cushion.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Mandy Brown struck out 11 in a complete-game 4-hitter. And Brie Manwarren (2-4, R, 2B, RBI), Senne Imel (1-4, R, 2 RBI), and Tuscani Ritter (3-3, 2 2B, 3 RBI, BB) led the offense.
In Game 2, Clarke built an early lead and held off MNU despite a mid-game rally from the Pioneers.
Clarke scored 4 runs in the opening inning before MNU responded in the 3rd. Lauren Schneider and Dakoda Hobbs reached base and later scored during a play that included two Clarke errors. Brie Manwarren followed with an RBI single, and Molly Nicas added a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 4.
Clarke answered with runs in the 3rd and 4th innings to extend the lead to 6-4. MNU trimmed the margin in the 6th with a run, but Clarke scored again to take a 2-run lead. MNU threatened in the final inning with a leadoff single from, but Clarke recorded the final outs to secure the 7-5 win and split the doubleheader.
Game 2 Turning Point
Clarke's run in the bottom of the 4th proved to be the game winner.
Game 2 Individual Leaders
Brie Manwarren struck out 6 in 3 innings of relief. And Danica Hobbs (2-4, R), Brie Manwarren (2-3, R, RBI, BB), and Elayna Goff (2-2, 2B, BB) had 2 hits apiece.
Up Next
The next double header is Saturday at Mount Mercy at 1:00/3:00.
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