Mount Vernon opens Wamac play with win over Vinton-Shellsburg

MOUNT VERNON — Adam Ketelsen remained confident.

The Mount Vernon senior pitcher believed in his ability to handle opposing batters and faith in the Mustangs own hitters.

Ketelsen tossed a four-hit shutout and Mount Vernon pushed home late runs for a 2-0 victory over Vinton-Shellsburg Friday night in the Wamac Conference opener at Cornell's Ash Park.

Ketelsen was not fazed by the pressure of a 4 1/2-inning scoreless pitcher's duel between him and the Vikings' Scottie Wirth.

'I don't really worry, because I know we are going to come through and get a run late,' said Ketelsen, who struck out six and didn't allow a runner past second base. 'I know I have a good defense behind me, so as long as I throw strikes and don't make mental mistakes I feel pretty confident about it. It feels good.'

Ketelsen has 13 strikeouts in 10 innings and hasn't allowed an earned run in his two appearances.

'He did a good job of keep the ball down,' Mount Vernon Coach Jeremy Elliott said. 'He's keeping people off balance a little bit more.

'As long as he stays around the zone, he will be very effective.'

Mount Vernon (2-2, 1-0 Wamac) capitalized on its two scoring opportunities. The Mustangs showed patience, waiting for their chances against Wirth. He was impressive, retiring the first 12 Mustang batters of the game in order.

Errors led to Mount Vernon's first two batters reaching in the fifth, including a misplayed sacrifice bunt by Tony Garcia that moved Marquis Dew into scoring position.

The stage was set for Carter Rodman, who stepped to the plate and hit an RBI single to right field. Dew crossed the plate with the eventual game-winning run.

Rodman seems to be following in the footsteps of past Mustang seniors, who understand what it takes to contribute.

'Carter has finally figured it out,' Elliott said. 'Go out, have fun and play the game hard. As long as you're giving great effort and attitude then good things are going to happen. I think he's had a really good senior year all the way around and this is just another example.'

The Mustangs added an insurance run in the sixth. Jared Booth led off with a base hit and then stole second. Luke Eldred delivered an RBI single, driving in Booth.

'I thought we did a better job of having good at-bats and taking good cuts, even though we didn't score very much,' Elliott said. 'We still looked better at the plate and more comfortable. I think that's going to be one of our strengths going forward.'

The victory can be a springboard for the Mustangs, going 1-2 in the Bob Vrbicek Metro tournament earlier this week. Elliott said it was important to start conference play on the right foot and easier move forward with success. Ketelsen agreed.

'It was big time,' Ketelsen said. 'They made state last year. It's a good start to the conference.'

Vinton-Shellsburg (2-1, 0-1) was leading the nightcap, 1-0, in the third before rain forced a postponement. Nathan Struve drove in Will Edwards for that run in the first.

In the opener, Edwards, Jared Thompson, Conner Miracle and Jordan Womochil each had hits for the Vikings.

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