The Basics
Score: MNU 15, Clarke 5 (7 inn)
Record: MNU (25-25), Clarke (24-22)
Location: Ozark Mountain Sports Complex – Ozark, Mo.

OZARK, Mo. – Photos | MNU erupted for 15 runs on 19 hits and led throughout, powering past Clarke 15-5 Thursday afternoon in Heart Conference Tournament play. A 5-run 1st inning set the tone, and the Pioneers kept applying pressure, pulling away late behind a dominant relief outing from Axel De Jesus.

MNU wasted no time jumping in front. Ronnie Rowley led off the game with his 12th triple (2nd in the NAIA), and the Pioneers followed with a relentless rally. RBI singles from Kaden Owens, Ryan Martinez, Carter Manning, and Jeremy Morales capped a 5-run opening frame that immediately put Clarke on its heels.

After Clarke scratched across a run in the bottom of the 1st, MNU extended the lead in the 2nd. Christian Ramos delivered a 2-run double to center, pushing the advantage to 7-1.

Clarke mounted its only serious push in the 3rd inning, capitalizing on walks and an error to score 4 runs and cut the deficit to 7-5. With momentum briefly shifting, MNU turned to reliever Axel De Jesus, who steadied the game. The right-hander was lights-out the rest of the way, tossing 5 scoreless innings while striking out 7 and allowing just 2 hits.

The Pioneers responded immediately. In the 5th, Garrett Lester and Rowley each drove in runs to stretch the lead, and MNU broke the game open in the 6th. Morales highlighted a 3-run inning with a 2-run double, while Rowley added another RBI knock as the lead ballooned to 12-5.

MNU continued to tack on insurance in the 7th. Owens drove in a run on a groundout, Ramos added an RBI double, and Manning lifted a sacrifice fly to cap the scoring at 15-5. De Jesus finished the 7th inning to give the Pioneers a run-rule victory.

Turning Point
The 5-run first inning gave MNU immediate control and forced Clarke to play from behind the entire game.

Individual Leaders
Axel De Jesus struck out 7 in 5 scoreless innings of relief for the win. And every hitter in the lineup - Ronnie Rowley (3-5, R, 3B, 2 RBI), Riggs Harper (1-4, R, 2B, BB), Noah Castillo (2-3, 3 R, BB, HBP), Kaden Owens (1-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB), Christian Ramos (2-4, 2 2B, 3 RBI, HBP), Ryan Martinez (4-5, 3 R, 2 RBI), Carter Manning (3-4, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI, SF), Jeremy Morales (2-3, R, 2B, 3 RBI, HBP, Sac), and Garrett Lester (1-3, RBI, 2 BB) - reached base at least twice.

Up Next
MNU advances to face 1-seed and #7-ranked Missouri Baptist Friday at 5:00 as the Heart Tournament continues in Ozark.