(Devil's Lake, ND) The Pioneers had their opportunities on Monday against Bismarck State College, but it was the Mystics that eventually prevailed, 16-12.  After the Pioneers scored five runs in the top of the fifth, Bismarck State College answered with five of their own.  MCC scored when Bloxham homered on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring two runs, Jared Bellows singled on a 2-0 count, scoring one run, and Chase Feller homered on a 0-1 count, scoring two runs. Bismarck State College then answered with a double, scoring two runs and a home run that scored three runs.The Mystics evened things up at 11 in the bottom of the sixth inning on a solo homer.  The game was tied at 11 with Bismarck batting in the bottom of the seventh when they doubled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.  

Chris Rofe started the game for the Pioneers. He allowed five hits and five runs over three and two-thirds innings, striking out three.  Keith Manby and Bellows entered the game as relief, throwing three and two-thirds innings and two-thirds of an inning respectively.

The Pioneers smacked four home runs on the day. Nate Bloxham put one out in the fifth inning. Bellows went for the long ball in the third inning. Feller had a homer in the fifth inning, and Will Riley went deep in the sixth inning.

MCC racked up 16 hits.  Bloxham, Riley, TY Jones, Bellows, and Cade Stuff all collected multiple hits for the Pioneers.  Bloxham went 4-for-5 at the plate to lead the team in hits.  Bloxham singled in the first, homered in the fifth, singled in the sixth, and doubled in the ninth.

Bismarck State College will host the Regional Tournament May 10 - 12.  The Pioneers will face Dakota Tech in the first round.