OZARK, Mo. – The No. 5-seed MNU Pioneers evened up the season series with Raven Baseball on Thursday in the first round of the Heart Baseball Championship Series.

MNU earned a 2-1 win over the No. 4-seeded Ravens as Benedictine (25-11) heads to the consolation bracket on Friday.

Michael Kruse earned the start for the Ravens. Kruse threw his second complete game of the season, giving up two runs off five hits with six strikeouts.

MNU held Benedictine hitless heading into the fifth inning before Danny Favazza recorded the Ravens first hit of the game. Austin Watamaniuk picked up the Ravens second hit later in the inning to drive in Favazza with an RBI double.

The Ravens move to the consolation bracket where they will play in game five of the championship at 9 a.m. (note the earlier time than originally posted) where they will take on top-seeded Willaim Penn University who suffered a 14-0 loss in game one of the championship on Thursday. This will be the first meeting between the two teams this year as their cross-divisional doubleheader was canceled due to unplayable conditions on both campuses.