The Mount Marty Lancers engaged in an absolute marathon of a series against Dordt University, splitting the four-game set in matchups characterized by heavy hitting and high-scoring rallies. After dropping the first three games—including two heartbreakers—the Lancers' offense exploded in the finale to salvage the weekend.
Series Recap: Mount Marty vs. Dordt
Games 1 & 2: Dordt Sweeps Saturday
Dordt took control of the opening day in Yankton, slowing down the Lancer bats in the opener before winning a high-scoring slugfest in the nightcap.
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Game 1 (Dordt 7, MMU 3): Daniel Vonnegut was a bright spot, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Tyler Vance stayed hot at the top of the lineup with three hits, but the Lancers couldn't overcome back-to-back Dordt home runs in the 6th.
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Game 2 (Dordt 15, MMU 8): Despite a 14-hit effort from Mount Marty, Dordt's 10-run outburst in the first four innings proved insurmountable. Conor Michaud and Drew Ryken each tallied three hits, while Ethan Synovecdrove in two runs with a double.
Game 3: Dordt 9, Mount Marty 8
The Lancers suffered a devastating walk-off loss in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader.
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The Lead: MMU jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the 2nd inning, highlighted by a Tyler Vance 3-RBI double.
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Late Drama: Trailing 6-4 in the 7th, the Lancers clawed back to take an 8-6 lead after Kimo Wilinski scored on a wild pitch and Cooper Mlnarik drew a bases-loaded walk.
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The Finish: Dordt responded with three runs in the bottom of the 7th, winning on a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded.
Game 4: Mount Marty 17, Dordt 14
In one of the wildest games of the season, the Lancers' offense went nuclear to snap the skid.
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Power Surge: The Lancers launched three home runs: a 2-run shot by Cooper Mlnarik, a 2-run blast by Tyler Vance, and a 3-run bomb by Ethan Synovec.
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Tyler Vance: Put on a clinic, going 3-for-5 with 5 RBIs and 3 runs scored.
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Jalen Owens: Cleared the bases with a clutch 3-RBI double in the 6th inning.
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Ethan Synovec: Was nearly perfect, going 4-for-6 with 4 RBIs and 4 runs scored.
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Closing it Out: Aspen Dahl entered in the 9th to settle the chaos, throwing a scoreless frame to earn the save.
Top Lancer Performers (Series Totals)
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Tyler Vance: 9 Hits, 1 HR, 2 Doubles, 10 RBIs, 7 Runs
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Ethan Synovec: 7 Hits, 1 HR, 2 Doubles, 7 RBIs, 5 Runs
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Daniel Vonnegut: 7 Hits, 5 RBIs
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Drew Ryken: 6 Hits, 2 Doubles, 2 Runs
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Cooper Mlnarik: 4 Hits, 1 HR, 2 Doubles, 4 RBIs
