Mustangs Secure Doubleheader Sweep Over William Penn

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Mount Mercy (22-9, 9-1) claimed a decisive 5–1 win over William Penn (15-13, 5-4) in the first game of their doubleheader on Friday. The Mustangs' pitching staff was stellar, allowing just one run and six hits over seven innings.

Mount Mercy's victory was bolstered by key contributions throughout the game. In the second inning, Sam Wiese singled and later scored on a third baseman's error, putting the Mustangs up 1–0. The score held at 1–0 through the second inning.

The Mustangs extended their lead in the fourth. Drew Terpins, DJ Harris, and Chase Gerwig loaded the bases with consecutive singles. Derek Einertson drove in Terpins with a single, followed by Kade Knock's sacrifice fly that brought home Harris, making it 3–0. The score remained 3–0 after four innings.

The Statesmen answered back in the fifth when McGwire Jephson scored on a sacrifice fly, but Mount Mercy held a 3–1 lead through five innings. Mount Mercy added insurance in the sixth. Terpins walked and scored on Einertson's RBI single, while Harris, hit by a pitch, crossed the plate on a fielder's choice by Christian Graves, extending the lead to 5–1 after six innings. The score stayed the same in the final inning, sealing a 5–1 victory for Mount Mercy.

Derek Einertson had a strong showing, driving in two runs and collecting two hits while being hit by a pitch once. Kade Knock contributed with two hits and one RBI, including a sacrifice fly. Tyler Nagelbach pitched six innings, allowing four hits and one earned run, securing the win. Drew Terpins scored twice and recorded five assists at shortstop.

For the Statesmen, McGwire Jephson was solid defensively with four assists at shortstop. Shane Mailloux delivered at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and reaching base via a hit-by-pitch. Abraham Arroyo also contributed with one RBI and one sacrifice fly. On the mound, Garrett Neiman completed the game, pitching six innings and striking out one, despite allowing eight hits and four earned runs.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Mount Mercy clinched a 6-3 victory over William Penn. The Mustangs' offense racked up nine hits and three doubles, fueling their six-run triumph. In the third inning, Mount Mercy took charge when Derek Einertson singled and swiped second base. Kade Knock then delivered a single to center field, bringing Einertson home for the first run. The Mustangs led 1-0 after three innings.

William Penn briefly leveled the score at 2-2 in the fourth inning, but Mount Mercy quickly responded. Nick Meyer doubled to left-center and crossed the plate on Drew Terpins' RBI single, reclaiming the lead at 2-2 through four innings. Mount Mercy padded its lead in the fifth. Chase Gerwig doubled down the left-field line and scored on Einertson's RBI double. Einertson advanced to third and then scored on Christian Graves' single to left, pushing the lead to 4-2 through five innings.

In the sixth, the Mustangs capitalized on a William Penn miscue. Griffen Bushnell reached first on an error, and pinch runner Tommy Taylor scored on Gerwig's groundout. Nash Clementz, running for Sam Wiese, scored after Einertson singled, making it 6-2 by the end of six innings. William Penn added one more run in the seventh, but Mount Mercy's defense held steady, sealing the 6-3 victory.

Einertson had a standout performance with three hits, including a double, two RBIs, and two runs. Jack Turgasen pitched six innings, striking out seven and allowing two earned runs on six hits. Gerwig contributed a double and an RBI, with one hit and one run scored. Terpins added a hit, an RBI, and a stolen base, along with one strikeout.

For William Penn, Ened Perez made his mark with two hits, including a double, and one assist from second base. Keoni Young contributed with a hit, a walk, and scored the team's lone run, demonstrating plate discipline. Aiden North was pivotal, scoring once and driving in a run.

The Mustangs now stand at 22-9 overall and 9-1 in conference play, while the Statesmen hold a 15-14 record with a 5-5 conference mark. Mount Mercy will face William Penn again at 1 p.m. CT Saturday, April 4, at the Plaster Athletic Complex.