[Baseball] Carrasco's gem leads to MCC honor

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa -- Junior right-hander Abe Carrasco picked up his sixth win of the season on Saturday and on Monday was named the Midwest Collegiate Conference Pitcher of the Week for April 2.

Carrasco (6-1) notched his fourth complete game of the year and second shutout of the season. He allowed just three hits while striking out six and not walking a batter in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Iowa Wesleyan. Carrasco has a 2.11 earned run average with 41 strikeouts and only seven walks this spring.

Mount Mercy (17-19, 6-5 MCC) dropped 2-of-3 games in the weekend series with Iowa Wesleyan. The Tigers scored five unanswered runs, including two in the top of the eighth inning, to win Saturday's opener, 5-3. Senior designated hitter Rafael Del Rio went 3-for-4 with a run batted in and senior shortstop David Rodriguez added a pair of hits for the Mustangs.

After junior second baseman Scott Thornton opened the sixth inning with a base hit, junior Alex Rodriguez pinch ran and scored on a wild pitch for the only run of the game in Saturday's nightcap. The two teams combined for just seven hits, including four by Mount Mercy.

Sunday's contest was tight until the Tigers opened things up with a four-run seventh inning to defeat the Mustangs, 9-3. Senior catcher Paul Franco homered and finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Thornton added two more hits for Mount Mercy. Junior righty Joseph Stephen (5-4) went 6 2/3 innings, giving up six earned runs on 12 hits while striking out three.

The Mustangs will travel to Peosta for an MCC doubleheader with Clarke on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m.