Pioneers Split at Benedictine

The Basics
Score 1: MNU 9, Benedictine 3
Score 2: MNU 1, Benedictine 3
Records: MNU (27-19, 13-13), Benedictine (30-16, 17-9)
Location: Atchison, Kan. – Ravens Stadium

ATCHISON, Kan. – The Pioneers delivered a dominant offensive showing in Game 1 before falling short in Game 2, settling for a split against Benedictine on Friday.

In Game 1, MNU broke through in the 2nd inning and never looked back. Andi Clements jumpstarted the offense with a solo home run before Brie Manwarren delivered a 2-run triple later in the inning, giving the Pioneers a 3-0 advantage. In the top of the 3rd, Mandy Brown - taking her first at bats of the season - drove in a run to make it 4-0.

The Ravens responded with a 3-run 3rd inning to get back in the game, but MNU quickly regained control. Manwarren launched a solo homer in the 4th, and the Pioneers capitalized on defensive miscues to add 2 more runs in the frame and extend the lead to 7-3. 

MNU continued to apply pressure in the 5th inning, highlighted by an RBI single from Molly Nicas and another run scoring on a Benedictine error, pushing the lead to 9-3. 

In the circle, Mandy Brown was dominant in relief, tossing five shutout innings while allowing no hits and striking out 8 to secure the win. 

Game 1 Turning Point
MNU's 3-run 4th inning put the game out of reach.

Game 1 Individual Leaders
Mandy Brown struck out 8 in 5 hitless innings of relief for the win. She also went 1-3 with an RBI and a walk at the plate. And Danica Hobbs (2-5, 2 R), Brie Manwarren (2-4, 2 R, 3B, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Molly Nicas (2-4, RBI, BB), Lailah Simmons (1-3, 2 R, 2 HBP), Andi Clements (1-3, R, HR, 2 RBI) led the offense.

In Game 2, MNU struggled to generate offense despite tallying seven hits. Benedictine struck first with a solo home run in the 2nd inning and added 2 more runs in the 3rd to build a 3-0 lead. 

The Pioneers broke through in the 4th inning when Aariana Paprocki delivered an RBI single to score Lailah Simmons, trimming the deficit to 3-1. However, that would be the lone run for MNU, as Benedictine's pitching held the lineup in check the rest of the way.

Game 2 Turning Point
Benedictine's 2-run 3rd inning extended the lead to 3-0 and proved to be the difference.

Game 2 Individual Leaders
Brie Manwarren struck out 3 in 3 innings of scoreless relief. And Aariana Paprocki (3-3, RBI) had 3 hits.

Up Next
The final regular-season double header is Saturday at home vs. Baker at 1:00/3:00.