[Baseball] Offense struggles in Sunday doubleheader

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- Mount Mercy's offense struggled as Iowa Wesleyan took sole possession of first place in the Midwest Collegiate Conference with an 8-0, 7-1 sweep of the Mustangs on Sunday at Ken Charipar Field at Xavier High School.

Mount Mercy committed four errors and couldn't get anything going against Jorge Martinez. Martinez allowed just two hits and walked a batter while going the distance for the Tigers. Mustang starter, sophomore right-hander Phil Hotchkiss (2-5), gave up two earned runs on seven hits in six innings while striking out a batter and walking three.

The Mustangs (17-16, 9-9 MCC) touched Jacob Sanchez for seven hits in the nightcap, but could only push across one run while stranding seven runners in the loss to the Tigers (25-18, 13-6 MCC). Junior designated hitter Paul Franco had a pair of hits and junior catcher Rafael Del Rio drove in Mount Mercy's lone run. Senior righty Derrick Weber (5-4) went 5 1/3 innings, scattering eight hits and surrendering three earned runs while striking out three and walking three.

Mount Mercy's home finale is Wednesday when the Mustangs host an MCC doubleheader with Clarke (14-16, 10-7 MCC) at 5:00 p.m. at Xavier High School.