Pitcher Anthony Bleggi had things going on the mound and the Pioneers had a big 7th inning to break open a tight game as MCC advanced the Region XIII Championship game with a 7-1 win over Bismarck State in Rosemount, Minnesota. 

Bleggi scattered only 7 hits in a complete game victory that included 11 strikeouts and only 2 walks. Bleggi threw an amazing 153 pitches in the game. The Mystics defeated the Pioneers twice last weekend in the MonDak Conference Tournament. 

The Pioneers got the scoring started in the top of the 2nd inning when CF Jake Lacey walked managed to get to 3rd base on a steal and then scored on a RBI groundout by LF Ian Krump. The Mystics tied things at 1-1 in the bottom of the 4th. MCC took the lead for good in the top of the 5th when RF Hunter Lasko singled and was sacrificed to 2nd by C Jaden Webster. SS Brayden Howard was hit by a pitch and 2B Cade Stuff had a bunt single to load up the bases for 1B Dawson Parry. The nation's RBI leader delivered on a single to rightfield that scored Lasko and Howard for a 3-1 lead. 

The Pioneers got the insurance runs they needed in the top of the 7th. Webster singled to leftfield and Howard doubled to rightfield to put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Webster then scored on a passed ball and Stuff doubled to right scoring Howard and a 5-1 lead. Then Dawson Parry did Dawson Parry things hitting a 2-run homer to center giving the Pioneers a comfortable 7-1 lead. That was all the Pioneers needed as Bleggi shut the door on the Mystics. 

The Pioneers will play the winner of the Bismarck State/Dawson game Sunday at 11:00 AM MST for the right to move to the North Plains District Championship. BSC or DCC would have to beat the Pioneers twice to advance and MCC needs only 1 victory.