JOPLIN, Mo. – Despite four scoreless innings in relief by Casey Splane, the Raven baseball team couldn't overcome three runs by top-seeded MNU in the first two innings on Thursday as the Pioneers held off a late-inning by Benedictine.

MNU (33-13) starting pitcher Trent Hedlund limited Benedictine (10-31) to just two runs off eight hits six and one-third innings as the Pioneers earned a 6-2 win over the Ravens in game one of the 2014 HAAC Championship Series.

Eli Egger earned the start for the Ravens on the hill and pitched into the second inning before he was relieved by Splane. Egger allowed three runs off one hit as he walked five.

At the plate, the Ravens were finally able to break through at the plate, scoring two runs in the seventh before MNU answered with three more runs to turn a 3-2 game into a three-run win.

Benedictine outhit MNU 11-9 with just one extra-base hit, a Chris Johnson double that led to Benedictine's first run of the game.

Paul Heit went 2 for 5 with an RBI while Patrick Walseth added a 2 for 3 effort with the Ravens other RBI.

The Ravens return to action at 10 a.m. Friday as they take on Baker University in the first elimination game of the Championship Series. Benedictie took 3 or 4 during the regular season against Baker University.