The St. Joseph Mustangs extended their winning streak to six Sunday with a 6-2 victory in Carroll. Now 3-0 against the Merchants, 12-5 overall and 11-5 in M.I.N.K. League games, the Mustangs have reclaimed first place in the North Division.
Right-hander Andrew Clark added to the long list of recent quality starts by St. Joe starting pitchers. Completing six innings, he allowed one run on three hits. During the six-game win streak, the Mustangs’ starting rotation has pitched to a 2.50 earned run average.
St. Joe opened the scoring in the second, as the first three hitters reached ahead of catcher Oscar Pegg, who hit into a run-producing fielder’s choice. Two more runs then came home in the third. First, left fielder Easton Bruce picked up his team-best 17th run batted in with a triple. Center fielder Brayden Luikart immediately scored him with a single.
Carroll answered with a run in the third but left two in scoring position. Clark would hold the Merchants scoreless over the ensuing three frames, setting up three St. Joe insurance runs in the sixth. Needing just one hit in the inning, an RBI single by third baseman Michael Paule, the Mustangs expanded their lead to 6-1.
The Merchants pulled a run back in the eighth, but Tanner Schmidt and Jack Wells combined to comfortably pitch the final three innings. St. Joe will enjoy an off day Monday before continuing the road trip in Sedalia with a 7 p.m. first pitch Tuesday.
Comments