By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
The St. Joseph Mustangs (11-7) scored five runs in the first two innings, scored three insurance runs in the eighth and fended off first place Clarinda on the road Tuesday, 9-8.
The win for the Mustangs ended a six-game win streak for the As, who beat St. Joseph 5-3 on the Mustangs' opening night on June 1 at Phil Welch Stadium.
Dylan Carey led the way at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a run scored. Karl Koerper had a three-run RBI double in the top of the first to get the scoring started.
Clarinda (13-4) tied the game at 6-6 in the sixth inning and took an 8-6 lead in the bottom of the seventh before St. Joseph came back with three runs in the top of the eighth.
Morichika Hama was the winning pitcher, striking out three batters and allowing just one hit over the final two innings. Savannah alum Micah Diamond made the start, going five innings, striking out four batters, walking four others and allowing four earned runs.
The Mustangs are on the road again Wednesday, playing the Carroll Merchants. First pitch is set for 6:45.
The Mustangs swept Carroll on the road back on June 13, 12-3 and 10-3, in a doubleheader.