Offense powers Mustangs to win over Winona State

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - After cold weather postponed play between the Mount Mercy baseball team and Winona State (Minn.) yesterday, the two teams got to play Wednesday afternoon at the Robert W. Plaster Athletic Complex. The Mustangs used 13 hits to defeat the Warriors 12-5 in nine innings. 

Through the first two innings, Mount Mercy and Winona State were tied 1-1. The Mustangs scored two in the third and five in the fourth to break it open. Drake Frazier drew a lead-off walk before Tyler Dahm and Joel Vaske each got hit by a pitch to load the bases. Riley Rundquist drew another walk for an RBI. Evan Paulus then singled to right field and advanced to second on an error, plating Dahm and Vaske. Kyle Moeder put the icing on the cake with a two out, two RBI single down the left field line. Mount Mercy scored three more in sixth, adding more insurance runs. Winona State (4-12)was able to push three across in the seventh, but it was a little too late. Rundquist capped off the Mustang scoring with a solo home run in the seventh inning. 

The Mustangs used five pitchers, led by starter, Josh Fleming (1-0) who went four strong innings allowing just one run on two hits, and striking out six. Zach Barden pitched an inning in relief followed by two from Brady Sadler. Kale Orman and TJ Fleita combined to pitch a scoreless final two frames in relief as well. 

Eight different Mustangs tallied a hit, led by Paulus who was 3-for-5 with four RBI and a run scored. Rundquist collected three RBI and scored two runs. Moeder and Frazier each finished with two RBI. 

Mount Mercy moves to 12-7 on the year and are scheduled to play their second Heart of America Athletic Conference four-game series this weekend. The Mustangs host Benedictine (Kan.) on Saturday and Sunday, March 18-19 at 1:00 pm for doubleheaders each day. However, there is more cold weather coming and the games may be moved to Monday and Tuesday.