The Basics
Score 1: MNU 9, Benedictine 5
Score 2: MNU 10, Benedictine 3
Score 3: MNU 7, Benedictine 2
Score 4: MNU 9, Benedeictine 1
Records: MNU (21-24, 13-11), Benedictine (22-20, 12-12)
Location: Atchison, Kan. - Olsen Stadium
ATCHISON, Kan. – MNU used big innings and dominant pitching to sweep Benedictine in a Thursday/Saturday series. In Game 1, MNU wasted no time setting the tone, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the 1st inning behind a 2-run single from Christian Ramos and an RBI fielder's choice from Ryan Martinez. The Pioneers broke the game open in the 4th, plating 4 runs on doubles from Jeremy Morales and Garrett Lester along with a sacrifice fly from Noah Castillo to extend the lead to 7-1.
Benedictine chipped away with runs in the middle innings, cutting the deficit to 7-5 after a 2-RBI double in the 6th. However, MNU responded with 2 insurance runs in the 7th to seal the 9-5 victory.
Game 1 Turning Point
MNU's 4-run 4th inning created separation and proved to be the difference.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Preston Graber earned the win with 6 innings of work, and didn't allow a hit until 2 outs in the 5th, while striking out 3. And Ronnie Rowley (2-4, R, 2B, HBP), Riggs Harper (1-2, R, 2 BB, HBP), Noah Castillo (0-2, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SF), Christian Ramos (1-4, 2 RBI), Ryan Martinez (2-4, 2 R, 2 2B, RBI), Jeremy Morales (1-3, 2 R, 2B, RBI, BB), and Garrett Lester (1-4, R, 2B, 3 RBI) had big games at the plate.
In Game 2, the Pioneers again struck early and never let up. Noah Castillo opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st, then MNU added 3 more runs in the 2nd highlighted by a Riggs Harper RBI triple and Castillo's 2-run homer to take a 4-0 lead.
After Benedictine got one back in the 3rd, MNU delivered the knockout blow in the 6th. Castillo cleared the bases with a 3-run double, Kaden Owens followed with a 2-run homer, and Jeremy Morales added an RBI single as part of a 6-run frame that pushed the lead to 10-1.
Benedictine was held hitless until a bunt single opened the 6th, but starter Brailyn Cruz had his best game of the year, going the distance while striking out 13 (the most by a starter since Tyler Frieders' 17 in 2023).
Game 2 Turning Point
MNU's 3-run 2nd proved to be enough.
Game 2 Individual Leaders
Brailyn Cruz dominated on the mound, striking out 13 over 7 innings while allowing just 1 earned run. And Noah Castillo (4-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 6 RBI), Kaden Owens (2-3, R, HR, 2 RBI, BB), Ryan Martinez (2-3, BB), Jeremy Morales (1-3, R, RBI, BB), Carter Manning (0-2, 2 R, 2 BB), and Garrett Lester (2-3, R, BB) led the offense.
In Game 3, the Pioneers broke through in the 2nd on a sacrifice fly from Jeremy Morales. Benedictine answered with a solo homer in the bottom half, but MNU steadily regained control. Morales delivered again with an RBI single in the 4th to make it 2-1, and after the Ravens tied it in the 5th, the Pioneers erupted in the 6th.
MNU plated 5 runs in the frame, highlighted by Carter Manning's 2-out 2-run ground-rule double and Garrett Lester's RBI infield single. Riggs Harper added an RBI knock to cap the rally and push the lead to 7-2. Noah Castillo did the rest on the mound, tossing a complete game while limiting Benedictine to just 5 hits.
Game 3 Turning Point
MNU's 5-run 6th inning turned a tight 2-2 game into a comfortable lead they would not relinquish.
Game 3 Individual Leaders
Noah Castillo tossed a complete-game 5-hitter while allowing 2 runs and striking out 4. And Kaden Owens (2-3, R, HBP), Christian Ramos (2-4, 2B), Jeremy Morales (1-1, R, 2 RBI, BB, SB, SF), and Carter Manning (1-2, R, 2B, 2 RBI) had big games at the plate.
In Game 4, MNU completed the sweep with a 9-1 victory behind an explosive 1st inning and a strong performance on the mound. The Pioneers wasted no time, scoring 5 runs in the opening frame. Riggs Harper delivered a 2-RBI inside-the-park home run, Kaden Owens followed with an RBI double, and Ryan Martinez added an RBI groundout before a wild pitch capped the rally.
MNU continued to add on, scoring twice in the 3rd with RBI contributions from Garrett Lester and Ronnie Rowley, then extending the lead with runs in the 5th and 7th. Benedictine's lone run came on a solo homer in the 5th, but the Ravens were otherwise contained by a trio of Pioneer pitchers.
Game 4 Turning Point
The 5-run 1st inning put the Ravens in an early hole.
Game 4 Individual Leaders
Jaymal Bonilla earned the win with 5 solid innings, allowing just 1 run while striking out 3. Axel De Jesus and Giancarlo Cortez combined for 2 scoreless innings of relief. And Ronnie Rowley (1-2, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, SB, SF), Riggs Harper (1-5, R, HR, 2 RBI), Noah Castillo (3-5, R, 2B), Kaden Owens (1-3, R, 2B, RBI, BB, HBP), Christian Ramos (3-5, RBI), Ryan Martinez (1-3, R, RBI, BB), and Garrett Lester (2-3, RBI, BB) led the offense.
Up Next
The next 4-game series is Friday/Saturday at Park at 1:00/3:30.
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