Mustangs Run Rule MidAmerica Nazarene; Eliminate Pioneers from Heart Tournament

OZARK, Mo. - The Mustang baseball program run ruled MidAmerica Nazarene, eliminating the Pioneers from the Heart of America Tournament, winning by a score of 14-4 after seven innings.

The Mustangs were led on offense by a 3-4 performance from Jaden Hackbarth, as he led the team in not only hits but also in RBIs, tallying a team high four. Cedric Dunnwald also made a big impact on the Mustang offense, tallying three RBIs.

Josh Notriano drove in the first run of the game, scoring Jeremy Figueroa on a single to center field. Notriano would come across to score on an error later in the inning, increasing the lead to two. Sean Maple's two-RBI double to left would square the game at two after one inning of play.

Hackbarth drove in the first of his runs on a double to center field, while Figueroa drove in two more on a double down the left field line, making it a 5-2 game. The Pioneers would respond with another run on a single to center, but the Mustangs would answer with three in the third. Tyler Pecson scored on a wild pitch to start the inning's scoring, while Dunnwald and Hackbarth each drove in runs, extending the Mustang lead to five.

Following a Pioneer run in the third, the Mustangs would score five in the fourth, as Dunnwald and Hackbarth would each record two RBIs in the inning. The offense would be capped off by a Bryce Brown homer to left, ending the game with a 14-4 scoreline.

Michael Schaul earned the win, pitching four innings of relief and striking out five. Owen Chaffin was tabbed with the loss, throwing just two innings while allowing seven runs.

The Mustangs advance in the bracket and take on Baker tomorrow at 10 a.m. in an elimination game.