By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
The St. Joseph Mustangs (4-3) scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning, and that's all the runs they would need in a 3-1 win over the Wellington Heat at Phil Welch Stadium Wednesday.
The Mustangs scored the runs on three hits, including a two-run RBI single to left by Dylan Carey. Michael Paule and Jack Wagner also stole a pair of bases in the frame.
After giving up a hit in the first inning, starting pitcher, Savannah alum and Northwest Missouri State signee Ty Hilsabeck settled in and set the Heat down in order in innings two through six. He struck out the side in the fourth inning and finished with nine Ks total in his first start of the season.
"I felt pretty good coming out of the gate," Hilsabeck said. "I was locating on my pitches pretty well, so it was going pretty smooth."
Wellington's best threat came in the top of the seventh. Tanner Lukowski relieved Hilsabeck on the mound to start the inning and right away, Wellington got a threat going with a hit, an error a walk and a hit batter.
After the Heat got on the board and made it a 3-1 game, Jay Greco replaced Lukowski on the mound with the bases loaded.
Greco worked St. Joseph out of the jam, and recorded the last two outs, including a strikeout to keep the lead intact.
The Mustangs got a pair of runners on in the eighth seeking insurance, but ultimately got nothing across. St. Joseph stranded seven total baserunners Wednesday.
Braden Berry came onto pitch the final inning and put the Heat down in order, striking out his last batter face to get the save. In all, St. Joseph recorded 12 strikeouts in Wednesday's win.
"We played really well," Hilsabeck said. "Get more runs, and our pitching has been really good this year. So, it should be fun."
St. Joseph hosts Wellington for a second straight night on Thursday at 7 p.m. It'll be 'Women in Sports Night,' as Missouri Western softball assistant coaches Lexi Kinnaird and Sammey Bunch will join the Mustangs' coaching staff for the game.
You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.