The Basics
Score 1: MNU 7, Central Methodist 6
Score 2: MNU 3, Central Methodist 6
Score 3: MNU 11, Central Methodist 10
Score 4: MNU 9, Central Methodist 2
Records: MNU (15-22, 7-9), CMU (20-15, 10-6)
Location: Fayette, Mo. – Estes Field
FAYETTE, Mo. – MNU won Games 1, 3, and 4 in a series win at Central Methodist.
In Game 1, Central Methodist struck quickly, plating 5 runs in the opening frame to put MNU in an early hole. The Pioneers responded in the 2nd with a solo home run from Kaden Owens, then flipped the game entirely in the 3rd inning.
MNU erupted for 5 runs on five hits in the 3rd to take a 6-5 lead. Riggs Harper sparked the rally with an RBI double, Noah Castillo followed with a two-run single, and Owens and Ryan Martinez each drove in runs to cap the inning.
After Central Methodist tied the game in the bottom half of the 3rd, both pitching staffs settled in until the 7th. That's when MNU manufactured the go-ahead run, as Harper worked a leadoff walk and eventually came around to score on an RBI single from Martinez, giving the Pioneers a 7-6 edge.
Game 1 Turning Point
MNU's 5-run outburst in the 3rd inning completely shifted momentum.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Noah Castillo earned the win with 6 innings of work. He also had a 2-run single at the plate. Giancarlo Cortez pitched a perfect 7th for the save. And Ronnie Rowley (1-3, R, BB), Riggs Harper (1-3, 2 R, 2B, RBI, BB), Kaden Owens (3-3, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB), and Ryan Martinez (2-3, 2 RBI, BB) led the offense.
In Game 2, MNU held a 3-0 lead into the 4th inning, but the Eagles came back to win 6-3. The Pioneers scored twice in the 3rd with RBIs from Christian Ramos and Jeremy Morales, and took a 3-0 lead on another Ramos RBI in the top of the 4th. CMU rallied for 3 in the bottom of the 4th to tie the game, and 2 homers in the 5th pushed the lead to 3. The Pioneers were held off the board in the final 3 innings to settle for a Monday split.
Game 2 Turning Point
CMU's 3-run 5th was the difference.
Game 2 Individual Leaders
Matthias Hardy threw a scoreless inning of relief. And Ronnie Rowley (1-4, 2 R, 2B, 2 SB), Riggs Harper (2-3, HBP), Christian Ramos (1-3, 2 RBI, Sac), Noah Castillo (2-4, R), Kaden Owens (1-2, 2 BB), Ryan Martinez (1-2, BB), Carter Manning (1-3, 2B, BB), and Garrett Lester (0-2, 2 BB) reached base twice.
In Game 3, MNU outslugged Central Methodist in a back-and-forth battle, using a massive 3rd inning and clutch home runs to secure an 11-10 victory.
The Pioneers struck first in the opening frame on an RBI groundout from Christian Ramos, but CMU answered with 3 runs in the 2nd to take control early. That advantage didn't last long.
MNU erupted for 6 runs in the 3rd inning to flip the game. Riggs Harper started the rally with an RBI single, Noah Castillo followed with a two-run single, and Kaden Owens delivered a three-run home run to give the Pioneers a 7-3 lead.
Central Methodist responded with 3 runs of its own in the bottom half of the inning to cut the deficit to 7-6, but MNU continued to answer. Ronnie Rowley launched a 2-run homer in the 4th to extend the lead, and Owens added another 2-run shot in the 5th to push the advantage to 11-8.
CMU made one final push with two runs in the 5th to make it 11-10, but MNU's bullpen held firm. Giancarlo Cortez closed the door over the final 3.2 innings, allowing just two runs while striking out 6 to secure the win.
Game 3 Turning Point
MNU's 6-run 3rd inning, highlighted by Kaden Owens' 3-run homer, flipped a 3-1 deficit into a 7-3 lead.
Game 3 Individual Leaders
Axel De Jesus got 2 big outs to preserve the lead in the 3rd inning. Giancarlo Cortez struck out 6 in 3.2 innings of relief. And Ronnie Rowley (2-3, 3 R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 SB, HBP), Riggs Harper (2-4, R, RBI), Noah Castillo (1-4, 2 R, 2 RBI), and Kaden Owens (2-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 5 RBI) had big games at the plate.
In Game 4, starter Preston Graber dominated while the offense built a 5-0 lead in the 5th before CMU recorded a hit. MNU led 1-0 when Kaden Owens hit his third homer of the day, a grand slam, to blow the game open. The Eagles finally got something going in the bottom of the 5th with a walk and their first hit. A 2-out 2-run single got CMU on the board, but that was all the damage they could muster. The Pioneers rallied for 4 more in the 6th, and Graber completed the game for a 9-2 victory.
Game 4 Turning Point
Kaden Owens' grand slam in the 5th put the game out of reach.
Game 4 Individual Leaders
Preston Graber struck out 9 in a complete game 2-hit victory. And Ronnie Rowley (1-2, 3 R, 2B, 3 BB, 2 SB), Riggs Harper (0-3, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB), Christian Ramos (2-2, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, HBP), and Kaden Owens (2-4, R, 2B, HR, 5 RBI) led the offense.
Up Next
The next double header is Friday/Saturday at home vs. Baker at 1:00/3:30.
