Bats come alive in second game as TMU Baseball splits with William Jessup

The Master's University baseball bats came alive on Saturday afternoon, as the Mustangs scored in all six innings it batted in to defeat William Jessup in the second game of a doubleheader. The visiting Warriors won the first game, meaning the two teams split the two games on the day and the four in the series.
 
"It was a very complete game for us against a good team," Master's head coach Monte Brooks said of TMU's second game. "They're a team who has been to the national tournament the last two years (it has been held). We had double-digit hits in a seven-inning game and had some timely hits. We had much better at-bats and that's what we were looking for from yesterday."
 
Roy Verdejo hit two solo home runs in the second game of the day, while Will Batz went 2-for-2 with 3 RBIs. Cason Brownell hit an RBI-triple, while Brock Bell and Ryan Bricker added an RBI-double each.
 
Adding to the Mustang offense was solid pitching, notably from Ethan Schmidt. After recording two scoreless outs in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, Schmidt pitched 3.2 shutout innings with three strikeouts in relief to earn the win.
 
"Ethan was outstanding," Brooks said. "He didn't give up a run in clutch situations. We played incredible defense, made plays."
 
The win ensured a series split for the Mustangs, who on both Friday and Saturday lost the first game before winning the second. However, TMU had a golden opportunity to win the series by winning the early game on Saturday.
 
Master's (9-5 overall) held a 5-4 lead entering the ninth inning, but two William Jessup (8-2) home runs fueled a Warrior comeback that resulted in an 8-5 win for the visitors.
 
"We walked the leadoff guy. You can't put the leadoff guy on freely," Brooks said. "Then we were up in the zone and they got a hold of it."
 
"We didn't string together anything," Brooks added of his team's offense in the first game. "We had a good at-bat every inning, but we need multiple good at-bats. When we can do that, then you'll see this team take off."
 
Bell, Joel Larsen and Byron Smith recorded RBI-hits in the first game.
 
Saturday's doubleheader concludes a 14-game homestand for Master's to begin the season. The Mustangs are now scheduled to hit the road for the next three weekends before returning to Lou Herwaldt Stadium on March 19 against Ottawa University Arizona.
 
"I'm encouraged with some things we accomplished this weekend against a good team," Brooks said. "Now we're on the road and are really going to be tested."