BU secures series win over (RV) MNU, 19-7

OLATHE, Kan. -- An 11-run sixth inning powered the Bellevue University baseball team past (RV) MidAmerica Nazarene University 19-7 in a run-rule shortened finale on Friday to win the non-conference series.

With wins in eight of their last 11, Bellevue improves to 10-9 on the season. MNU falls to 12-6 after dropping their first series of the season.

Logan Grant homered twice and drove in seven runs and Steven Elsner finished 4-for-5 with four runs scored.

Bellevue got on the board first with an RBI-ground out from Elijah Tanner in the top of the second.

Grant extended the BU lead with a three-run blast, his fifth of the year in the third off Owen Chaffin, who got the start for MNU. Chaffin allowed four runs on six hits in three innings of work before handing the ball off to his bullpen.

The Pioneers responded with five runs in the bottom of the third including back-to-back home runs from Willy Borquez and Sean Maple. Drew Woodley singled home a run earlier in the inning and Borquez tied the game with a three-run shot before Maple put MNU in front.

Nate Uglialoro allowed four runs in 1.1 of relief work on two hits, a hit batter, and a walk. He departed with runners on first and second and MNU trailing 6-5. Jake Lacey put Bellevue back in front with a two-run homer to left off Uglialoro, his second of the year, before Anthony Lind was hit by a pitch and Jordan Brandenburg drew a walk to chase Uglialoro.

Jackson Noland came no and was greeted by Elijah Tanner's ringing double to left to score a run and a ground ball from Balas Buckmaster to chase in another before the inning came to a close.

Bruin started Gavin Wuschke last 4+ innings, departing after the first two runners reached to lead off the bottom of the fifth. He was charged with six runs on nine, striking out five and issuing one walk.

Wuschke's day was over after allowing a base hit to Woodley and an RBI-double to Jose Melendez to start the frame. Jace Wessels came on out of the bullpen and, after allowing a single to Kayden Owens, got a pair of outs before an approximately 55-minute weather delay interrupted play. Wessels got Christopher Lugo to ground out to end the frame when play resumed.

The Bruin bats came out swinging in the sixth as the first six batters of the inning all reached before the Pioneers recorded an out. With three runs already inn, Balas Buckmaster drove in two with a single to left and two batters later, Scott Hansen doubled home two more for an 15-7 Bruin advantage. Elsner singled home Rafael Nakandakari ahead of Grant's second three-run blast of the game.

Kayden Owens homered off Wessels with one out in the ninth but Wessels nailed down the win, working around two more baserunners.

Wuschke (3-1) got the win with Wessels recording his first save of the year, allowing just one run on four hits and striking out four across three innings of relief work.

The Pioneer bullpen allowed 15 runs on 10 hits in four innings of work with Uglialoro (1-2) taking the loss for MNU.

Bellevue travels to Fremont, Neb. on Tuesday, Mar. 18 for a 3 p.m. non-conference tilt against Midland University (3-15).