Mount Vernon baseball opened the season with a road win Monday, May 20, at Durant, then split a doubleheader Thursday, May 23, at Grinnell.
Against the Wildcats, the Mustangs scored runs in five different innings, and won 9-5. AJ McDermott got the pitching win, Cael Foreman had two hits, and Kellen Haverback had a double.
At Grinnell, the Mustangs scored three in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game, but the Tigers plated the game-winner in the bottom of the seventh and held on, 5-4.
Jase Jaspers had two hits and Colin Bentley had a three-run home run to pace the offense.
In the second game, Mount Vernon won 2-0. Pitchers Garet Swartzendruber and Dermott combined on the shutout.
Jaspers again had two hits, including a double.
The doubleheader against Solon on Tuesday, May 21, was initially pushed back to Wednesday, May 22, and then Wednesday, May 29. That makes this week a busy one for the Mustangs, with six games over four days.
“That’s a lot of baseball,” Coach Charles Chatman said.
Mount Vernon 141 012 0 – 9 7 3
Durant 300 200 0 – 5 6 3
AJ McDermott, Landon Wilson (4), Cael Foreman (6) and Jase Jaspers. Ryan Wulf, David Holtz (2), Collier Rockow (5) and Wyatt Cole. W – McDermott (1-0). L – Holtz (0-1). 2B – Kellen Haverback (MV), Cannon Davis (D).
GAME ONE
Mount Vernon 001 000 3 – 4 7 3
Grinnell 100 300 1 – 5 9 1
Cael Foreman, Kellen Haverback (5) and Cole Thurn. Carson Penyich and Eddie Harseim. W – Penyich (1-0). L – Haverback (0-1). 2B – Derek Doty (G), Easton Edelen (G). HR – Colin Bentley (MV), Quentin Kniffen (G).
GAME TWO
Mount Vernon 200 000 0 – 2 2 0
Grinnell 000 000 0 – 0 4 0
Garet Swartzendruber, AJ Dermott (2) and Jase Jaspers. Kamdon Harms and Eddie Harseim. W – McDermott (2-0). L – Harms. 2B – Jase Jaspers (MV), Garet Swartzendruber (MV).