Hot Start Not Enough as Mustangs Season Ends to USAO

LINCOLN, Neb. - A two-run first inning sparked the Mustang offense, but the Drovers of Science and Arts (Okla.) would come back to end the Mustangs season for the second consecutive year, as the Mustangs fell 6-3.

The Mustangs totaled three runs on three hits, as Bryce Brown would record a hit and an RBI, while Garrett Dennis and Cedric Dunnwald would record hits. Josh Notriano and Tyler Pecson would be the other Mustangs to drive in runs in the contest.

The Mustang offense got started in the top of the first as Brown drove in Jaden Hackbarth on a double to right field. That was followed by Notriano grounding out to second to score Brown, as the Mustangs would lead by two. USAO got their offense started in the third as Ian Ortiz singled up the middle to score their first run of the game. The Drovers would tie it up in the fifth on a fielder's choice.

In the sixth, the Drovers added two more runs on a pair of singles to take a 4-2 lead. The Mustangs would add one more in the seventh on a Pecson sac fly to left, scoring Notriano. The Drovers however would answer with two more of their own in the eighth, sealing the game with a 6-3 win.

Tyson Noel earned the win for USAO, throwing eight innings while allowing three hits and three runs. Rob Schmidt earned the save, throwing one inning and allowing one walk. Tyler Nagelbach was tabbed with the loss, throwing just under six innings while allowing seven hits and striking out three.

The Mustangs will look to build on the success of the last two years and seek to advance to the NAIA Opening Round next year for the third consecutive season.