Mustangs Split with Eighth Ranked Webber International

BABSON PARK, Fla. — Mount Mercy faced off against Webber International in a doubleheader on Saturday, securing a thrilling 9-8 victory in the first game before falling 7-2 in the second.

In the opener, a game-changing seven-run rally in the fifth inning propelled the Mustangs to their narrow win. The Warriors of Webber International took an early lead, with David Zamora singling to second base in the second inning to bring Jalen Martinez home, followed by a sacrifice fly from Mike Cuello in the third, extending their advantage to 2-0. A solo homer by Martinez in the fourth further widened the gap to 3-0.

However, the Mustangs roared to life in the fifth. Derek Einertson sparked the rally with a double that scored a pinch runner. Kolt Kurzman followed with an RBI single, and Sam Wiese crushed a three-run homer, catapulting Mount Mercy to a 5-3 lead. Kole Sonnenburg's sacrifice fly and a wild pitch added two more runs, stretching the lead to 7-3. In the sixth, Kade Knock singled to bring Einertson home, making it 8-3, and Knock struck again in the seventh, grounding out to bring in another run, pushing the score to 9-3.

Webber International mounted a spirited comeback in the bottom of the seventh, scoring five runs, including a single from Cuello and a double by Matty Davis, tightening the score to 9-8. Despite the pressure, the Mustangs held firm to clinch the win. Einertson tallied two hits and scored twice, while Wiese's home run and three RBIs were key to Mount Mercy's success. Knock contributed significantly with two RBIs.

For the Warriors, Tugg Hollandsworth stood out with four hits, including two doubles, scoring twice. Martinez drove in three runs, scored three times, and homered, while Davis added two hits and two RBIs. Cuello contributed with two RBIs and a sacrifice fly. Tyler Nagelbach secured the win for Mount Mercy, while Trenton Feucht struggled in relief, allowing five earned runs in just 2/3 of an inning. Luke Kehrli clinched the save despite some pressure. For Webber International, Dobbins took the loss, giving up six earned runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings, with Catto and Gibson providing relief.

In the second game, Mount Mercy fell to Webber International with a scoreline of 7-2. The Mustangs made a push in the sixth inning, scoring twice, but the Warriors had already set the tone with a decisive four-run second inning. Jalen Martinez started the second inning with a single, followed by an RBI double from Skyler Schulz that brought Martinez home. An error allowed Nomar Vazquez to reach second base and score Schulz, and Keegan Martin capped the inning with a two-run homer, giving the Warriors a 4-0 lead.

Webber International extended their lead in the third when Mike Cuello tripled and then scored on an error, making it 5-0. Mount Mercy finally found a spark in the sixth. Lane Spieker singled, advanced on a Christian Graves single, and Nash Clementz, pinch running, scored alongside Spieker thanks to a two-RBI single by Kade Knock, cutting the deficit to 5-2. However, the gap widened again in the seventh as Julio Martinez doubled, driving in Cuello to make it 6-2. The eighth inning saw Tugg Hollandsworth launch a solo home run for Webber International, finalizing the score at 7-2.

Kade Knock's clutch two-RBI single was a highlight for the Mustangs, while Spieker contributed with a run and a hit from his three at-bats, and Graves added a hit to the Mustangs' efforts. For the Warriors, Martin shone with a home run, two RBIs, and two stolen bases, contributing four assists on defense. Hollandsworth added a home run and an RBI. Jack Turgasen was tabbed with the loss for Mount Mercy, pitching just under six innings and striking out three. Kaelen Clarkson pitched 2/3 of an inning, and Will Schufreider added 1 2/3 innings of work.

Mount Mercy will end the weekend series against Webber International in Babson Park on Sunday at 10 a.m.