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Pioneers Split Doubleheader With NDSCS

Pioneers Split Doubleheader With NDSCS
Posted: Apr 13, 2023

Pioneers 12... NDSCS 9

Two big innings proved to be all the MCC Pioneers would need to outlast the NDSCS Wildcats 12-9 on Friday afternoon in Miles City. The Pioneers struck for 6 runs in the 2nd inning to build a 6-0 lead and then put up 5 in the 7th inning to break a 7-7 tie as the Pioneers were able to win game 1 of MonDak Conference doubleheader. 

With one out in the top of the 2nd inning, 2B Shannon Nelson (Livingston, MT) was hit by a pitch, C HaiLeigh Davis (Shepherd, MT) walked, and SS Sierra John (Idaho Falls, ID) walked to load the bases. RF Cassidy Bagnell (Frenchtown, MT) walked as well to put the Pioneers up 1-0. LF Liz Ybarra (Belgrade, MT) singled to drive in 2 runs and CF Skylar Higgs (Livingston, MT) walked to load the bases again. 1B Hazel Eaton (Belgrade, MT) then came up with a big double to drive in 2 more runs. With runners on 2nd and 3rd, DP Megan Johnson (Preston, ID) then singled to drive in Higgs and the Pioneers led 6-0. 

The Wildcats then picked up a run in the bottom of the 2nd, the 3rd, and 2 more n the 4th to cut the lead to 6-4. MCC picked up a run in the 5th inning when John and Bagnell each singled and ended up on the corners. Liz Ybarra then grounded out to drive in John for a 7-4 lead. 

NDSCS tied the game up with 3 runs in the bottom of the 6th before the Pioneers followed up with a huge 5-run top of the 7th inning. Ybarra led the inning off with a single and Higgs followed tat up with a single of her own to put runners on 1st and 2nd. Hazel Eaton reached on an error that scored Ybarra and 3B Taylor Feller (Laurel, MT) blasted a deep home run to center field for a 11-7 lead. Alexa Lewis (Bozeman, MT) followed that with a back to back solo shot of her own and the Pioneers went to the bottom of the 7th with a 12-7 lead. 

NDSCS scored 2 runs in the last inning but the Pioneers thwarted the comeback effort. 

Peyton Whitehead (Joliet, MT) went a complete game 7 innings (12 H, 9 R, 5 BB, 6 SO) to pick up the win for MCC.

Inside the Box Score

  • MCC had 16 hits compared to 12 for the Wildcats.
  • Each team committed 3 errors.
  • The Pioneers had 5 stolen bases and NDSCS had only 1. 
  • Science pitchers allowed 8 walks and one hit by pitch. Pioneer pitcher Whitehead walked 5 and allowed one hit by pitch.
  • HaiLeigh Davis, Shannon Nelson, Taylor Feller, Skylar Higgs, Liz Ybarra, and Cassidy Bagnell all had 2 hits for MCC. 

Game 2 - Pioneers 0... NDSCS 11 (6 Innings)

The NDSCS Wildcats bounced back and dominated game 2 of the doubleheader to salvage a split of games Friday afternoon with an 11-0 win. 

MCC had no answer for the pitching of Katelyn Strauss as the Pioneers had only 3 hits and were blasted 11-0 by the Wildcats. 

HaiLeigh Davis, Hazel Eaton, and Skylar Higgs were the only Pioneers to connect on a base hit. 

Hazel Eaton got the start in the circle and pitched 2.1 innings (6 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 2 SO) before giving way to Alex Carr (Idaho Falls, ID) for the next 3 innings (6 H, 4 R, SO). Peyton Whitehead finished the final 0.2 innings (3 H, 2 R, BB)

Inside the Box Score

  • NDSCS outhit the Pioneers 15-3. 
  • MCC walked 7 times and Pioneer pitches issued 4 walks. 
  • NDSCS had the only error of the game. 

The Pioneers will face Lake Region State on Saturday at 1:30 and 3:30 PM in Miles City. MCC is now 19-4 overall and 6-2 in MonDak Conference play.