You want matchups against ranked teams? No. 5 (3A) Mount Vernon had themlastweek.TheMustangsfacedfour teams (six games) against ranked foes.
“The kids played really well,” Mount Vernon coach Robin Brand said. “Our team is really coming together. They played error-free defense, are hitting well, and baserunning extremely aggressively.
“It is fun to watch it all come together.”
It started with a doubleheader against No. 6 (4A) Clear Creek Amana on Monday, June 16, in Tiffin.
Mount Vernon won the opener, 7-3, then lost the nightcap, 10-1.
In the first game, the Mustangs had seven hits. Including a home run and four RBI from Brynlee Bettcher.
Rylee Rasmussen added two hits, including a double.
In the second game, Hayden Gookin had two hits and Rassmussen had a double and an RBI.
A game at Mid-Prairie on Tuesday, June 17, was cancelled due to weather.
On Wednesday, June 18, Mount Vernon hosted then-No. 1 (3A) Williamsburg, now No. 2, at Van Metre Family Field.
The Mustangs won the opener, 7-0, and lost the nightcap, 12-4.
In the win, Gookin hit 3-for-4, Rasmusen had two hits and three RBIs, Bettcher had two hits, and Sophia Patten and Lucy Wischmeyer each added a double.
In loss, the Raiders were trailing 4-2 and put up 10 runs in the top of the fifth. The Mustangs managed just three hits, with doubles from Olivia Haverbackand Bettcher.
Then it was an overnight trip to the Roland-Story Kiwanis Tournament. On Friday, June 20, Mount Vernon lost to No. 5 (4A) ADM, 1-0, in 9innings.
Mount Vernon had just two hits. Gookin gave up just three hits and no walks and struck out 12.
On Saturday, the Mustangs enjoyed their trip to Hickory Park in Ames. “They like it when it is someone’s ‘birthday’ and everyone comes over to sing,” Brand said.
At the tournament, Mount Vernon beat previously-ranked Gilbert, 7-2.
Sophia Patten had a single, double and two RBIs. Liby Dix had a triple.
The Mustangs closed the week with a win over No. 6 (3A) Estherville-Lincoln Central, 8-0 in five innings.
Gookin pitched a no-hitter over five innings, striking out 14.
Haverback had two hits. Gookin and Rasmussen each had two RBIs.
“It was a great weekend,” Brand said. “We play tougher the hotter it gets.”
Brand knows the regional pairings comeoutsoon,andwantedtomakesure the Mustangs made a statement.
“We needed to get stuff done,” Brand said. “We got some exceptional wins this week.”