Schlotman tosses a gem as Mustangs cruise in opener

OZARK, Mo. -- Kobey Schlotman tossed seven innings of four-hit ball and the Mount Mercy offense roared to life in the late innings as the fourth-seeded Mustangs cruised to a 13-4 victory over fifth-seeded Baker in the first round of the Heart of America Athletic Conference Baseball Championship at US Ballpark.

Mount Mercy trailed, 1-0, through three innings but Justin Janssen's solo homer in the fourth tied it up, 1-1. The Mustangs tacked on three more runs in the sixth on RBIs by Drake Frazier and Evan Paulus. Things began to go sideways for Baker (27-24) in the seventh. Sam Stonskas had an RBI groundout and Tyler Dahm a run-scoring single through the left side to make it 6-1.

An inning later, Kyle Moeder ripped a two-run triple then scored on Casey Sole's groundout and it was 9-1. The Wildcats got three runs back in their half of the frame, but Mount Mercy (32-18) scored four times in the ninth to put the game away. Kaimana Souza-Paaluhi singled up the middle to score Frazier, Moeder was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Hews plated Brandon Bickford with a fielder's choice, and Andrue Henry finished things off with an RBI base hit through the left side.

Schlotman (9-1), named the Heart of America Pitcher of the Year on Friday, lived up to that billing against Baker. He went seven innings, allowing only an unearned run while striking out eight with one walk. Nolan Frey, Kale Orman, and Brady Sadler wrapped up the critical opening-round win.

Mount Mercy takes on top-seeded MidAmerica Nazarene (33-14) on Saturday at 5:00 pm.