The Basics
Score 1: MNU 5, Grand View 6 (10 inn)
Score 2: MNU 1, Grand View 9 (5 inn)
Records: MNU (24-15, 10-9), Grand View (27-12, 15-6)
Location: Norwalk, Iowa – Fareway Park
NORWALK, Iowa – MNU pushed #15 Grand View to the brink in the opener but ultimately came up short in both ends of a conference doubleheader on Thursday, falling 6-5 in extra innings before dropping a 9-1 run-rule game in the finale.
In Game 1, MNU delivered one of its most complete efforts of the season early, building a 3-0 lead behind a big 3rd inning. Senne Imel sparked the rally with a leadoff single, and the Pioneers capitalized with RBI hits from Danica Hobbs and Molly Nicas, along with a sacrifice fly from Lailah Simmons.
Mandy Brown was in control in the circle through 6 innings, limiting Grand View's offense and keeping the Vikings off the board. However, the momentum shifted in the 7th as Grand View rallied. A walk and a single brought the tying run to the plate, and a bunt single loaded the bases with no outs. A walk pushed home a run and put the tying run in scoring position, and an outfield error tied the game and put the winning run at third. Brown recovered with a shallow flyout and a strikeout, and a bases-loaded drive to center was run down for the final out to push the game into extra innings.
The international tie breaker was put into effect in the 10th, and the Pioneers capitalized quickly. After a Molly Nicas bunt, Aariana Paprocki drove in the go-ahead run on a squeeze, and Tuscani Ritter added an insurance run with a sacrifice fly to make it 5-3.
But Grand View answered in the bottom half, taking advantage of defensive miscues to break MNU's hearts. An infield single put the tying run on base, and an error on a bunt brought home a run and set up Grand View for the tying run. Another bunt single loaded the bases, and an error tied the game. The next batter was called out on the Infield Fly rule, but the ball wasn't caught and it rolled away enough for the winning run to score from third.
Game 1 Turning Point
Grand View's 3-run rally in the bottom of the 10th erased MNU's late lead and ended the game.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Mandy Brown struck out 5 in 7 innings in a no-decision. And Danica Hobbs (2-5, RBI), Senne Imel (2-3, R, 2 BB), and Dakoda Hobbs (2-5, R) had 2 hits apiece.
In Game 2, MNU fell behind early and couldn't recover after Grand View erupted for 4 runs in the opening inning.
The Vikings continued to apply pressure with 2 more runs in the 4th before breaking the game open in the 5th with a 3-run homer to end it via the mercy rule. MNU managed its lone run in the 5th inning when Aariana Paprocki delivered an RBI double to score Brie Manwarren.
Game 2 Turning Point
Grand View's 4-run 1st inning immediately put MNU in a deficit that proved too large to overcome.
Game 2 Individual Leaders
Dakoda Hobbs (1-3), Senne Imel (1-2), Brie Manwarren (1-2, R), Tuscani Ritter (1-2), and Aariana Paprocki (1-2, 2B, RBI) had MNU's 5 hits.
Up Next
The next double header is Saturday at home vs. William Penn at 1:00/3:00.
