Mustangs Start Conference Play with Doubleheader Sweep of Peru State

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Mount Mercy (12-8, 2-0) had a successful doubleheader against Peru State (4-19, 0-2) on Friday, securing a 10-6 victory in the first game and a tight 6-5 win in the second, showcasing their offensive prowess throughout the day.

In the first game, the Mustangs clinched a 10-6 win, sparked by a pivotal seven-run third inning that broke the game wide open. The Mustangs racked up 11 hits, including four doubles and a triple, while limiting Peru State to just five hits throughout the matchup.

Peru State jumped out to an early lead in the first inning. Xavier Solla scored on a sacrifice fly by Wrigley Strong, putting the visitors ahead 1-0. Mount Mercy answered back in the second. Nick Meyer started things off with a double, and Tommy Taylor, pinch running for Meyer, crossed home plate on a Chase Gerwig single. Kade Knock then doubled down the left field line, bringing in Drew Terpins and Gerwig to give the Mustangs a 3-1 lead after two innings.

The Mustangs' bats caught fire in the third, plating seven runs. Meyer singled, and Taylor moved to third on a Terpins double. Derek Einertson's single brought Taylor home, while Knock's triple drove in Einertson and Terpins. Knock later scored on a sacrifice fly by Sam Wiese. DJ Harris and Meyer each added RBI hits, pushing the lead to 10-1 after three.

Peru State chipped away in the fourth inning, with Strong's bases-loaded walk scoring a run, followed by a three-RBI double from Kutty George, narrowing the Mustangs' lead to 10-5. In the fifth, Peru State added another run as Sam Dunn scored on a Jonathan Gutierrez groundout, bringing the score to 10-6. Both teams were held scoreless in the sixth and seventh innings, sealing the Mustangs' victory.

Kade Knock shined with four RBIs, a double, and a triple. Derek Einertson contributed with three hits, an RBI, a run, and a stolen base. Nick Meyer added two RBIs with three hits, including two doubles. Drew Terpins scored twice, chipping in a double.

For Peru State, Xavier Solla made his mark, scoring two runs on a hit, bolstering his 1.300 OPS. Despite no hits, Wrigley Strong drove in two runs through a sacrifice fly and a walk, while Kutty George's base-clearing double was crucial, adding three RBIs.

In the second game, Mount Mercy clinched a tight 6-5 victory, bolstering their promising start in conference play. The Mustangs showcased their offensive prowess with two home runs, contributing to their ten-hit performance. Mount Mercy jumped to an early lead in the first inning. Kade Knock walked, swiped second base, advanced to third on a balk, and scored on a wild pitch during Christian Graves' at-bat, putting the home team up 1-0.

Peru State countered in the second inning with two runs. Sam Dunn came through with a two-RBI single following a throwing error, giving the visitors a 2-1 advantage. The Mustangs couldn't score in the bottom of the inning, keeping Peru State ahead. In the fourth inning, Lane Spieker hit a home run to tie things up. DJ Harris walked, moved to third on a Nick Meyer single, and scored thanks to Chase Gerwig's RBI single. Tommy Taylor, pinch-running for Meyer, scored on a wild pitch, putting Mount Mercy back on top at 4-2.

Peru State narrowed the gap in the fifth inning with a sacrifice fly by Xavier Solla, scoring a run. Sam Wiese answered for the Mustangs with a solo shot, stretching the lead to 5-3. The sixth inning saw Peru State knot the score again. Jonathan Gutierrez delivered a two-RBI single, making it 5-5. Mount Mercy couldn't score in their half, keeping the game tied.

Mount Mercy reclaimed the lead in the eighth. Chase Gerwig singled, advanced to third on a pair of steals, and was brought home by a Lane Spieker single, securing a 6-5 win on a walk-off. Kade Knock was instrumental for the Mustangs with a double, a hit, two stolen bases, and a run. Sam Wiese chipped in a home run and an RBI, while scoring once. Lane Spieker had a notable game, hitting a home run, gathering two hits, and driving in two runs. Nick Meyer was solid with three hits, including a triple.

Jonathan Gutierrez had a pivotal two-RBI single in a pressure-packed moment, proving his clutch capabilities. Doel Pina added two hits and two runs. Sam Dunn shined with three hits and two RBIs. Casey Ogden, on the mound, delivered 5 1/3 innings, striking out 11 while conceding five earned runs on seven hits, showing strong command with 71 strikes out of 118 pitches.

Looking ahead, the Mustangs will host Peru State again at 1 p.m. CT Saturday, March 14, at Plaster Athletic Complex.