Mustangs Offense Stalls as Indiana Wesleyan Takes Tournament Opener

LINCOLN, Neb. - Despite solid performances on the mound from Ashton Schwab and Owen Brauch, it was Indiana Wesleyan's Brock Buckley that got the better of the offense as IWU took the opener of the NAIA Opening Round, 3-0.

The Mustang offense only managed one hit against Buckley's Wildcats, coming off the bat of Drew Terpins on a bunt in the top of the sixth inning, as Terpins would later advance to second.

The two teams would remain scoreless until the sixth inning when Nick Wiley broke open the offense with a sac fly to center field. Tanner Smith would follow that up with a single through the right side to drive in a second, as IWU took a 2-0 lead. In the eighth, Wiley would seal the deal with a homer to left on a solo shot, increasing the lead to three.

Buckley had a phenomenal game on the mound for IWU, throwing a complete game shutout, carding just one hit and 11 strikeouts. Schwab also had a remarkable game, throwing just under six innings while allowing five hits and striking out two. 

The Mustangs will face off against the loser of host school Concordia and University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma in an elimination game, taking place tomorrow morning at 11 a.m.