In baseball, much like vampire movies, be careful who you invite into your house.
No. 6 (2A) Cascade proved to be a rude guest on Wednesday, June 24, topping Mount Vernon in a non-conference tilt at Ash Park, 12-1 in five innings.
“We knew they were going to be a good team,” junior Cole McDermott said. “But if we showed up to play like I know we can, we would’ve been in the game.”
Mount Vernon (11-14, 8-10 WaMaC East) came into the game on a little bit of heater, having won three straight.
But after going up 1-0 after one inning, the top of the second was rough. The Cougars scored eight runs on six hits and three Mustang errors.
“We just didn’t play good baseball,” Mount Vernon coach Charles Chatman said. “We have some talent. We have some potential. But we have to play clean baseball.”
Cascade (20-1) played clean baseball, making big plays in the field and stifling the Mustangs on offense.
Mount Vernon had just five hits, including two from McDermott, a double and a single.
“That felt good,” McDermott said. “I’ve been pretty cold all year long. It felt good to get on the board and help my team.”
The loss was a low point in an otherwise solid week when Mount Vernon went 4-2.
They opened the week Monday, June 22, with a sweep of Vinton-Shellsburg, winning 12-2 in six innings and 13-3.
Drew Thurn hit 3-for-4 with a double and 2 RBIs in the first game. Michael Ryan and McDermott each had two hits. Cael Foreman got the win.
In the second game, Eli Casey was the winning pitcher. Gabe Grafft hit 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs, and three hitter had a double and a single – Ryan, Porter Chatman, Foreman. Thurn added a double.
After the loss to Cascade the Mustangs bounced back to take the opener at Benton Community on Thursday, June 25.
The Mustangs won, 2-1. Foreman pitched seven innings, scattering 4 hits and striking out eight. Ryan had two hits, including a double and an RBI. McDermott had the other RBI, and Landon Wilson had two hits.
The Bobcats won the nightcap, 6-1. The Mustangs had five hits, with Jakob Yock hitting 2-for-2.
Mount Vernon closed the week with a Saturday matinee at Winfield-Mt. Union, winning 13-2 in five innings. Thurn hit 2-for-3 with 3 RBIBs, Ryan had a double, and Noah Olsen and Koen Wiebel provided the pitching.
The Mustangs find out their playoff path this week.
“We’re doing everything we can to get ready,” McDermott said. “The season certainly has had its ups and downs. But our only goal is to be ready for the postseason.”