Mustangs Secure Second Heart Title in Three Years with Win over William Woods

OZARK, Mo. — Mount Mercy (38-13, 20-4) defeated William Woods (29-21, 17-11), capturing the second Heart of America trophy in three seasons with a decisive 17-7 victory on Sunday at Ozark Mountain. The Mustangs' offense surged late with a six-run seventh inning and a six-run ninth, contributing to its 13-hit performance.

In the second inning, Kade Knock doubled to left center and later scored on a walk by Drew Terpins, tying the game at 1-1. William Woods regained the lead as Jackson Kirn scored on a single, making it 2-1 after two innings.

In the third inning, a sacrifice fly by DJ Harris allowed Christian Graves to score, tying the game at 2-2. William Woods then added two runs in the fourth inning, bringing the score to 4-2.

Mount Mercy remained scoreless in the fifth inning and William Woods maintained its lead. However, the Mustangs' bats came alive in the seventh inning. Lane Spieker's leadoff home run and a series of walks and singles resulted in a six-run inning. The inning concluded with Mount Mercy leading 8-6.

The Mustangs further extended their lead in the eighth inning. Sam Wiese's single and subsequent plays resulted in three additional runs, bringing the score to 11-7.

The ninth inning saw the Mustangs secure the victory with another six runs, highlighted by Chase Gerwig's two-RBI double and Griffen Bushnell's two-RBI single. The final score was Mount Mercy 17, William Woods 7.

Terpins delivered an impressive performance, recording three hits and driving in two runs while crossing the plate twice. Gerwig contributed significantly with four RBIs and three runs scored, making a strong impact on the offensive end. Spieker added a home run to his tally, scoring twice and stealing a base, showcasing his ability to impact multiple facets of the game. Derek Einertson also played a key role by collecting three RBIs and scoring once, providing crucial support to the team's victory.

Ryan Retone led the team with two runs scored, demonstrating his ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Jude Gremillion made a significant impact with two hits and one RBI, contributing to the team's offensive efforts. Jakob Koehn pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing only one earned run while striking out three, showcasing his control on the mound. Aidan Gaither added depth to the lineup with two hits and one run scored, complementing the team's batting strategy.

The Mustangs will find out the location and opponents in the NAIA tournament on Wednesday, with the selection show airing at 4 p.m.