[Baseball] Mustangs split home opener

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Junior right-hander Joe Stephen's complete-game one-hitter clinched a 1-0 victory in game two and gave the Mount Mercy baseball team a split with Waldorf in Midwest Collegiate Conference play on Wednesday at Ken Charipar Field.

The Warriors (12-11, 2-3 MCC) recovered from a two-run deficit to win the opener, 6-3. A home run by senior designated hitter Rafael Del Rio and sacrifice fly by senior left fielder Alex Heumann put the Mustangs (14-12, 3-2 MCC) up in the bottom of the first inning. Waldorf got runs in the second and third frames to tie it, then moved in front for good with a four-run fourth.

Senior first baseman Kevin Turner and junior third baseman Jacob Thompson finished with two hits apiece and senior second baseman Colin Johnson also drove in a run for Mount Mercy. Senior lefty Robert Byers (0-2) took the loss in relief of starter Phil Hotchkiss, who allowed two earned runs on five hits in three innings.

Stephen (4-3) was nearly untouchable in the nightcap, surrendering just one hit while striking out five and walking one in seven innings. Senior designated hitter Paul Franco went 3-for-3 at the plate with a pair of doubles and a run batted in. Johnson and senior right fielder Brent Pankow had Mount Mercy's other two RBIs.

The Mustangs host a three-game league set with Grand View this weekend at Ken Charipar Field. First pitch for Saturday's doubleheader is 1:00 p.m. Sunday's single, nine-inning contest is also slated for a 1:00 p.m. start.