By MATT PIKE
As the regular season nears its end, the St. Joseph Mustangs scored a crucial MINK League win over the Carroll Merchants 11-7 at Phil Welch Stadium.
Jake Watson gave the Merchants a lead in the first inning with a two run home run. In the bottom of the second inning, the Mustangs tied the game, a two out double from Carter Belton with the bases loaded driving in Carson Schrack and Boston Bruce, the inning ending as Seth Winkler was thrown out at home attempting to score. The game tied at two, Carroll took the lead back in the fourth on another two run home run, this time from Maverick DeVeau to go up 4-2.
The Mustangs cut the lead to one in the bottom half of the fourth as Tyler Gundelfinger walked then moved to third on a double by Winkler, soon scoring on a passed ball. In the fifth St. Joseph took the lead first tying the game on a wild pitch that scored Carson Hintz with the bases loaded. Schrack reached on a fielders choice to bring home Frank Gall for the lead and another wild pitch drove in Brayden Luikart for a 6-4 Mustangs lead. The Merchants scored one a run in the top of the eighth to cut the lead to one again with an RBI single from Hayden Oliver. In the bottom half, St. Joseph pulled away.
The Mustangs did that thanks to a five run inning. With two runners on and one out, Belton singled to score Bruce, and moved to second on an error. After a walk to Hintz loaded the bases, Gall's two RBI single drove in Gundelfinger and Belton to extend the lead to 9-4. With two outs, Gall stole second, and Jayden Little singled to drive in the final two runs bringing home Hintz and Gall for the 11-4 lead. In the ninth the Merchants Alex Draper led off with a single and moved to second, third, and later scored on wild pitches. Walks to Watson, Jaxson Book, and DeVau loaded the bases, and with two outs another walk to Braylen Nystrom scored Watson. With the tying run at the plate, Oliver struck out to end the game.
Haru Takekawa threw six innings and earned the win giving up four runs on seven hits striking out eight and walking one. At the plate, Belton was 1-for-4 with a double and three RBI's. Gall was 2-for-5 with an RBI and a stolen base scoring two runs.
The Mustangs are 22-14 on the season, 19-13 in the MINK League, and hit the road for one game on Monday to play the Nevada Griffons. First pitch is at 7pm, There are five games left for the Mustangs in the regular season, with two MINK League matchups, the final four game homestand beginning on Thursday.
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