It has become a pattern for the Mount Vernon baseball program.
The season starts slow, but as the temperatures rise, the Mustangs get hot, too. They have gone 7-2 in their last nine games heading into a pair of non-conference games to close out the season.
They open Class 3A Substate 4 play with Central DeWitt on Friday, July 10, having just beat them, 7-6, on Tuesday, June 30.
“We’re as ready as we’re going to be,” Mount Vernon coach Charles Chatman said.
Landon Wilson got the pitching win against the Sabers, despite giving up 12 hits and six runs and having zero strikeouts.
The Mustang offense had 12 hits, led by Gabriel Grafft with a home run and 2 RBIs.
Michael Ryan hit 3-for-4, Noah Olsen hit 2-for-3 with two doubles, Cole McDermott hit 2-for-4 with a double, and Porter Chatman had two singles.
“I’m not a fan of playing your substate opener (matchup) the week before,” Chatman said.
Mount Vernon (13-14, 9-10) started the week with a Senior Night win over South Tama, 15-0, on Monday, June 29.
Jakob Yock hit 3-for-3, Chatman and Grafft each had two hits. Koen Wiebel had a double.
The seniors honored included Ryan, Cael Foreman, Drew Thurn and Wilson.
“I’ve got nothing but high praise for those guys,” Chatman said. “It is difficult for graduated seniors. It can be hard to close out your career when you have other things going on (after graduation). It is easy to move on to be an adult, or get ready for college … so for them to show up every day shows character.
“It is a small senior class, but they’ve had a real impact. And were great leaders.”
The Trojans have had a rough summer, failing to record a win.
“They are in a bad place,” Chatman said. “It was a good job by our guys of respecting the game.”
Mount Vernon lost a chance to add one more to the win column when the second game was rained out.
Likewise, a game against Linn-Mar on Wednesday, July 1, was cancelled, and a conference doubleheader at West Delaware on Thursday, July 2, was cancelled.
“We lost maybe 8 or 9 games this year,” Chatman said. “It is just one of those things. You can only play who is front of you, and sometimes it rains.”
Now things get real, and real serious for Mount Vernon. Last year they upset Marion in substate play. They have advanced to the substate final in 2 of the last 3 seasons.
“We have some talented boys,” Chatman said. “And when they aren’t focused on all of the other things, it turns out okay.”