Master's baseball focused on finishing strong after Saturday's split

Thanks to a potent offense and distinguished starting pitching, Master's is enjoying its best start since 2015. The team has won each of its first five series.

But, after TMU split a double-header with Menlo College on Saturday at Herwaldt Stadium, the Mustangs wanted to talk about the necessity of finishing each matchup on a strong note, one of the team's few shortcomings through the first month of the season.   

Master's beat the Oaks 8-3 in Saturday's first game behind Nick Tuttle's speed, Joel Larsen's clutch hitting and a gritty effort on the mound from freshman Nelson Schutte. But the Mustangs didn't display the same level of energy in a 7-3 loss in the finale.  

The Mustangs are 12-3 overall and 3-1 in Golden State Athletic Conference play, but all three losses have come in the final game of a series. It's a trend Master's wants to end.

"I think sometimes we get flat," Tuttle, a junior outfielder, said. "We've done a good job of getting the energy up again, but we just have to stay consistent."

Tuttle stole four bases and had two hits in Game 1, a contest the Mustangs took control of with a three-run third inning. Larsen, Jeremiah Farris, Byron Smith and Brock Bell recorded doubles as part of a 10-hit attack, and Schutte battled through five innings without his normal command. The first-year right-hander limited the Oaks to two runs on five hits. He struck out three, walked three and induced three double plays.

"He showed he can dig deep within and really come through in those tough spots," Tuttle said of Schutte.

JoJo Penberthy and Caleb Jaime combined for four innings of one-run relief to assure the Mustangs of their 22nd win over Menlo in the teams' last 26 meetings since 2012.

A big factor was TMU's improved plate discipline from the day before when they struck out 15 times and walked on only six occasions in two games. In Saturday's early contest, Master's walked eight times, four earned by shortstop Tyler Van Marter.

Van Marter scored twice, once on Larsen's two-run single in the third inning that broke a two-all tie. Larsen went 2-for-5, continuing a string of quality performances in the designated hitter role. The junior said one key to his success has been maintaining a simple approach.  

"I really need to stay smooth and slow and not get revved up by the game," Larsen said. "Stick to what I know to do and do what coach has been telling me."

In Game 2, the Mustangs fell behind 6-0 after 2 1/2 innings, creating a tall task even for a team that recovered from a four-run deficit to win in the series opener.  

Farris hit his first home run of the season and Will Batz drilled his second longball of the year over the fence in left center, but it wasn't enough to combat seven walks issued by TMU pitching or two costly errors.

"We didn't play a smart and efficient game four to get us in position to put pressure on them," said Master's coach Monte Brooks.

Still, the Mustangs are off to their best start since the 2015 team began the year 13-2. That squad featured San Francisco Giant Conner Menez.

Current Mustang Roy Verdejo, who had three hits Saturday, said losing the series' final game left a bad taste in TMU's mouth.

"There are a lot of little things we need to clean up before next week."