The Basics
Score 1: MNU 0, William Woods 5
Score 2: MNU 3, William Woods 9
Score 3: MNU 7, William Woods 6
Score 4: MNU 9, William Woods 8
Records: MNU (12-21, 4-8), William Woods (15-14, 6-6)
Location: Olathe, Kan. – Dixon Stadium
OLATHE, Kan. – MNU dropped 2 games on Friday, but walked off both games on Saturday to salvage a split vs. William Woods.
In Game 1, the Pioneers loaded the bases in 3 different innings, but couldn't find the big hit and were shut out 5-0. The Owls scored single runs in the first 2 innings, then blew it open with a 3-run 6th.
Game 1 Turning Point
WWU's run in the 1st proved to be enough.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Joe Wolstzyniak pitched a scoreless inning of relief. And Christian Ramos (1-4), Noah Castillo (1-3, BB), and Ryan Martinez (1-3, BB) collected MNU's 3 hits.
In Game 2, MNU struggled to keep pace after an early deficit as William Woods capitalized on a big middle inning. The Owls broke the game open with a 5-run 4th inning, turning a 2-1 contest into a commanding lead.
Game 2 Turning Point
William Woods' 5-run 4th inning created separation and proved too much for MNU to overcome.
Game 2 Individual Leaders
Aiden Kent struck out 4 in 3 solid innings of relief. And Riggs Harper (1-4, R, HR, 2 RBI) and Garrett Lester (2-2, R, BB) led the offense.
In Game 3, MNU fell behind 6-2 through 3 innings, but the Pioneers chipped away with 2 runs in the 6th before erupting in the 7th. With 1 out, back-to-back walks put the tying run on base, and Ronnie Rowley crushed a game-tying triple to center field. Riggs Harper followed with a sacrifice fly, and MNU came away with the win.
Axel De Jesus provided 4.2 innings of scoreless relief to keep the game within reach for his first win of the season.
Game 3 Turning Point
Rowley's 2-run triple in the 7th inning flipped a late deficit.
Game 3 Individual Leaders
Axel De Jesus struck out 2 in 4.2 scoreless innings of relief for the win. And Ronnie Rowley (3-4, 3 R, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, SB, HBP), Riggs Harper (0-1, R, RBI, 3 BB, SB, SF), Christian Ramos (2-3, BB), Noah Castillo (0-1, 2 RBI, HBP, 2 SF), Ryan Martinez (2-4, R, SB), and Carter Manning (1-1, R, BB) had big games at the plate.
Game 4 was a classic. The Owls struck first with a 2-out run in the top of the 1st, but Noah Castillo's third sacrifice fly of the day tied it in the bottom. Woods again struck with 2 outs in the top of the 2nd with a 2-run homer, but the Pioneers returned the favor in the bottom of the 3rd. With 2 outs and nobody on, Ryan Martinez singled and Jeremy Morales walked ahead of a Carter Manning 2-run double to tie the game at 3.
MNU took the lead on a Christian Ramos RBI single in the 4th, but WWU tied it in the 5th with an RBI groundout. Carter Manning struck again in the 5th with an RBI single to re-take the lead, and Kaden Owens opened it up in the 6th with a 2-out 2-run bomb to put the Pioneers up 7-4 heading to the 7th.
In the top of the 7th, the Owls mounted another rally. A walk and a fielder's choice put 2 runners on, and a groundout followed by a single and a strikeout put the game on the brink. An error extended the game and got WWU within 1 run, and a clutch 2-run double suddenly saw MNU trailing by 1.
In the bottom of the 7th with 2 outs and nobody on, the Pioneers made their final push. Ronnie Rowley walked and Riggs Harper singled to put the tying run on 3rd base. After a stolen base put the winning run in scoring position, Christian Ramos rocketed a single off the shortstop's glove to tie the game. During the next at bat, Harper boldly took off for the plate when the catcher threw the ball back to the pitcher, and the return throw was late to give MNU the win.
Game 4 Turning Point
Riggs Harper's steal of home in the 7th won it.
Game 4 Individual Leaders
Giancarlo Cortez allowed just 1 earned run in 5 innings of relief for the win. And Ronnie Rowley (0-2, 2 R, 3 BB, SB), Riggs Harper (2-4, 2 R, 3 SB, HBP), Christian Ramos (2-4, 2 RBI, BB), Kaden Owens (1-4, R, HR, 2 RBI), Ryan Martinez (3-4, 2 R, 2 SB), and Carter Manning (2-3, 2B, 3 RBI, BB) led the offense.
Up Next
The next series is a 4-game set at Central Methodist on Friday and Saturday at 1:00/3:30.
