Terpins' Walkoff Lifts Mustangs Past Dakota State

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Mount Mercy (7-7) squeezed past Dakota State (4-10) with an 8-7 victory on Saturday. The Mustangs powered through with 16 hits, including three doubles and two triples, overcoming a three-run deficit after the first inning.

Dakota State burst onto the scene with a strong start, scoring three runs in the first inning, highlighted by Cameron DeMaria's two-run homer, setting the early lead at 3-0. The Mustangs couldn't convert in the bottom half, leaving one runner stranded. Mount Mercy got on the board in the second inning. Lane Spieker singled and crossed home on Nick Meyer's RBI single. Dakota State was held scoreless in their turn.

The Mustangs continued to chip away in the third. Kade Knock walked, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error before Sam Wiese brought him in with a triple. Both teams added to their totals in the fourth. Dakota State extended their lead with a solo home run from Camaron Haller. Mount Mercy responded with two runs, thanks to an RBI single by Chase Gerwig and a fielder's choice RBI from Knock.

Mount Mercy seized the lead in the fifth inning. Spieker doubled and scored on a fielder's choice by DJ Harris. Dakota State couldn't respond. The seventh inning was a seesaw battle. Dakota State regained the lead with three runs, including a two-run homer by Aiden Barfuss. The Mustangs answered back with two runs of their own. Harris knocked a two-RBI double, leveling the score.

In the eighth, Mount Mercy broke the deadlock. Spieker tripled and was driven home by Drew Terpins' RBI single for the walkoff win.

Spieker stood out, scoring four runs and collecting three hits, including a double and a triple. Derek Einertson also had an impressive performance with three hits. Harris drove in three runs with his three hits, including a double. Meyer added four hits, with a double, and drove in a run.

For Dakota State, Haller delivered a strong performance, recording three hits, including a home run and a double, along with two RBIs. Barfuss contributed with a home run and two RBIs and two walks. DeMaria added a home run and two RBIs.

Jake Weissenberger earned the win for Mount Mercy, pitching a scoreless inning with no hits allowed, recording three groundouts. Luke Kehrli pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing just one hit and one earned run, striking out three. For Dakota State, Hayden Leighty started and went 4 1/3 innings, allowing nine hits and five earned runs, striking out four. Austin Armstrong took the loss, surrendering five hits and three earned runs over 1 1/3 innings, with two walks and a strikeout.

With game two suspended due to weather, the Mustangs host Dakota State again on Sunday, March 8, at 11 a.m. CT at the Plaster Athletic Complex as part of a tripleheader.