Mustangs Earn 30th Win with Sweep on Senior Day

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Mount Mercy (30-11, 17-3) secured a 7–3 victory over Clarke (20-19, 14-5) in the first game of their doubleheader on Sunday, highlighted by a four-run sixth inning that sealed the win. In the second game, the Mustangs achieved a decisive 7-1 victory over Clarke, with another impressive four-run inning.

Game 1
Mount Mercy tallied seven stolen bases, capitalizing on Clarke's three errors to maintain their strong conference record. The Mustangs took an early lead in the first inning when Derek Einertson singled, stole second, and Kade Knock drove him home with a double to right center, making it 1–0. Clarke responded in the third inning, tying the game at 1–1 when Nico Reed scored on a single and a throwing error. However, Mount Mercy regained the lead in the bottom of the third with Chase Gerwig's single, stolen base, and Knock's groundout, making it 2–1.

As the game progressed, Clarke tied it again in the fourth with a triple by Cole Swartz, but the Mustangs pulled ahead in the fifth when Drew Terpins scored on a sacrifice fly by Knock, leading 3–2. The sixth inning was pivotal; Lane Spieker singled and scored on Nick Meyer's RBI single, followed by a series of errors and a triple by Griffen Bushnell that plated three more runs, putting Mount Mercy up 7–2. Clarke managed to add a run in the seventh with Swartz doubling and scoring on a groundout, but it wasn't enough, and the final score was Mount Mercy 7, Clarke 3.

Knock drove in three runs and hit a double, while Einertson showcased his speed with two stolen bases, reaching base twice. Cole Conner pitched a complete game, recording three strikeouts and allowing three earned runs over 7 innings. Swartz stood out for Clarke with two hits, including a double and a triple, contributing one run and one RBI. Reed added two hits and scored one run while stealing a base. David Jacobo pitched 5 1/3 innings, striking out three batters and allowing six hits.

Game 2
In the second game, Mount Mercy's offense was again highlighted by a four-run sixth inning, contributing to their seven-hit performance. The scoring began in the second inning when Lane Spieker doubled down the left-field line and scored on a double by Drew Terpins, giving the Mustangs a 1-0 lead. In the fifth, Yahirdavi Ortiz walked, advanced to third on a single by Chase Gerwig, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Derek Einertson. Gerwig later stole home on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 3-0 through five innings.

The Mustangs surged in the sixth inning; Tommy Taylor, pinch-running for Christian Graves, scored on another double by Terpins. DJ Harris, pinch-hitting, drove in Terpins with a single, and Ortiz scored after stealing second and third, courtesy of a double by Einertson. Gerwig also scored on the same play, pushing the score to 7-1 after six innings. Clarke managed to score one run in the sixth with a solo home run by Omari Barksdale, but the Mustangs' defense held firm, leading to a final score of Mount Mercy 7, Clarke 1.

Einertson contributed significantly with three RBIs, including a double. Terpins scored once and added two RBIs with two doubles. Ortiz displayed speed on the bases, scoring twice and stealing three bases. Mason Behn pitched a complete game, allowing one earned run and striking out five over seven innings. Barksdale emerged as a key player for Clarke, hitting a home run and contributing an RBI. Zach Arnold pitched 4 2/3 innings, striking out four batters despite allowing three earned runs.

The Mustangs now hold an overall record of 30-11 and are 17-3 in conference play, while Clarke has an overall record of 20-20 and is 14-6 in the conference.

Up next for Mount Mercy is a trip to Lamoni, Iowa, where it will take on Graceland at 1 p.m. CT Friday, April 24.