Game 1 - Pioneers 3... Northeastern JC 13 (6 Innings)
The MCC Pioneers got off to a good start with 2 runs in the 1st inning. What happened after that is something the Pioneers would like to forget. NJC scored runs in every inning and took advantage of 8 Pioneer errors enroute to a 13-3 win on day 2 of a 4-game series in Sterling, CO.
Cooper Wilson (CF - Sidney, Australia) led the game off with a single and moved to 2nd on a sacrifice bunt. Ethan Forrest (DH - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) walked and Karter Scott (C - Regina, Saskatchewan) connected for a 2 RBI double to give the Pioneers a 2-0 lead. NJC then plated 2 runs in the bottom of the 1st and 2 more in the 2nd.
After the Pioneers got a run in the 3rd inning on a RBI single from Forrest but NJC put the game out of reach with 5 runs in the 3rd inning for a 9-3 lead. They scored another in the 4th, 2 in the 5th, and one in the 6th.
No Pioneer had more than one hit and Chase Carnahan (2B - Fallon, NV) contributed the only other extra base hit with a double.
AJ Truman (Sophomore - Eureka, MT) got the start for the Pioneers and pitched 3 innings (9 R, 8 ER, 8 H, BB, SO). Ethan Evan (Freshman - Sheridan, WY) pitched the 4th inning (3 R, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, SO) and Croyden Christensen (Freshman - Kaysville, UT) came in for the final 1.1 innings (R, 3 H, 2 SO)
Inside the Box Score
- The Pioneers had 7 hits (2 2B) and NJC had 13 (2 HR, 3B, 5 2B).
- Each team had one stolen base.
- MCC committed 8 errors and NJC had 0.
- Pioneer batters struck out 10 times and NJC batters struck out 4 times.
- Each team pitching staff allowed 3 walks.
Game 2 - Pioneers 11... Northeastern JC 8 (9 Innings)
Luke Thorne (SS - Missoula, MT) came up with the big hit that gave the MCC Pioneers their 1st win of the season with a bases clearing double in the top of the 9th inning that broke a 8-8 tie for a 11-8 Pioneer victory.
The Pioneers trailed 8-6 going to the 9th inning but NJC pitchers walked in 2 runs to tie the game before Thorne's heroics.
NJC led 3-0 before the Pioneers got 2 runs in the 3rd inning. NJC stretched the lead to 5-2 with 2 more runs n the 4th. MCC took the lead fir the first time with 4 runs in the top of the 6th but the Plainsmen notched 3 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning to take a 8-6 lead in the scheduled 9-inning affair.
Thorne finished the game 2-5 (2B, 3 RBI, BB, 3 SO) and Brysen Herion (DH - Kalispell, MT) went 2-4 (2 R, BB, SO). Liam Sullivan (RF - Great Falls, MT) was 2-4 (2B, R, RBI, BB, SO) and Chase Carnahan had a 2-4 effort (HR, 2B, R, 3 RBI, BB, SO). Brock Lopez (LF - Commerce City, CO) was 1-3 (2B, 3 R, 4 RBI, 2 BB, SO).
Dominic Johnatakis (Syracuse, UT) got the start for the Pioneers. He pitched 4 innings (5 R, 7 H, 5 ER, BB, 3 SO). Kellen Henry (Mohall, ND) pitched the 5th inning (2 R, 3 BB, SO) and Keenan Kraft (Belgrade, MT) went 0.1 innings (H, R, SO). Pierce Hollowell (Miles City, MT) went 1.2 innings with 2 strikeouts. Owen Lucas (Regina, Saskatchewan) pitched the 8th inning (H, SO) and Chaise Tracy (Billings, MT) closed the game with 1 strikeout in one inning.
Inside the Box Score
- The Pioneers had 10 hits (HR, 4 2B) and NJC had 9 (3 HR, 2B).
- MCC had the only error of the game.
- Pioneer pitchers walked 4 batters and hit 4 others. Plainsmen pitchers walked 8 batters and hit 2 others.
- Pioneer batters struck out 15 times and Plainsmen batters struck out 9 times.
- NJC used 9 pitchers in the game.
The Pioneers will take their 1-3 record to Scottsbluff, Nebraska for a 4-game series next weekend against Western Nebraska CC.