Mustangs End Historic Season in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. - The historic season for Mount Mercy baseball ended on Wednesday in Lincoln, falling to Science & Arts (Okla.) by a final of 4-2, as the Mustangs ended with a pair of wins in their first NAIA National Tournament appearance.

Joel Vaske and Riley Rundquist each recorded two hits, with Vaske and Drake Frazier recording RBI's in the loss. Gavin Machado got the Drovers on the board first, registering an RBI in the top of the second. Ben Lawson added an RBI of his own as USAO took a two run lead over the Mustangs.

In the bottom of the second, Frazier singled through the right side which drove in Rundquist as the Mustangs were able to chip into the USAO lead, making it a 2-1 game. The Drovers would tack on two more in the fourth on a walk and a hit by pitch, extending their lead to three. Vaske would add an RBI single to left field, driving in Frazier, as the Mustangs weren't able to overcome the early deficit.

Jared Adams earned the win for the Drovers, pitching 6.2 innings and striking out three. Rob Schmidt earned his fifth save of the year, pitching just under two innings and striking out three. Jon Cross was tabbed with the loss, pitching 3.1 innings while allowing 10 hits and striking out one.

The Mustangs season concludes with their first Heart of America tournament crown along with their first NAIA National Tournament appearance and first victory in NAIA postseason play.