Mustangs beat Firebirds in non-conference game

Box Score Tommy Gwinn's RBI double to left in the sixth inning proved to be the game winner as The Master's defeated the Saint Katherine Firebirds 5-2 Tuesday at Lou Herwaldt Stadium.

The Mustangs (18-12, 5-10) were able to get their runs in the middle innings on eight hits, with two of the three extra base hits knocking in runs.

"We had runners on early and didn't get them in," said TMU Head Coach Monte Brooks. "We needed to get some bigger hits earlier in the game to take some pressure off. But Tommy Gwinn had a good day. He was a rally starter and he knocked in the go-ahead run. So I'm really encouraged with Tommy and how he's swinging the bat."

The Firebirds, which will be joining the GSAC beginning next season, got a pair of RBI singles in the top of the third. Both runs, however, were unearned.

TMU didn't get their first hit until the bottom of the fifth when Gwinn singled to right center to lead off the inning. Two batters later, Cason Brownell doubled to right center to move Gwinn to third. Ryan Mathiesen then singled to left center to plate both Gwinn and Brownell and tie the game 2-2.

An inning later Gwinn cracked his double to left, scoring Conor Christianson to give The Master's a 3-2 lead.

They added to that lead in the seventh when Ty Beck's double to center scored both Brownell and Owen Payn to make it 5-2.

Robby Schardt got the start, going 4.0 innings and allowing the two unearned runs on five hits. Gage Webster pitched 1.0 scoreless inning, followed by Ryan Shalkevich, who picked up the win, going 3.0 innings and getting four strikeouts. Mathiesen came on in the ninth to get his seventh save of the season by striking out the side..

"[Shalkevich] throws strikes and he pounds the zone," Coach Brooks said. "His ball moves on both sides of the plate. So he's got some sink and run with a couple different pitches and then he's got some break. He's just been great. And he's an athlete on the mound. He's a good fielder and he holds runners."

At the plate, Brownell finished 2 for 3 with two runs scored, followed by Gwinn going 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Mathiesen and Beck each went 1 for 4 with two RBI.

The Master's will have the Easter weekend off. They next play at Hope International for a 3-game series beginning on Friday, April 5. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.