By MATT PIKE
The St. Joseph Mustangs continued their unbeaten run in the MINK League with their third run rule victory of the season, beating the Carroll Merchants 10-0 in eight innings on Friday night at Phil Welch Stadium.
The Mustangs blew open the scoring right away in the first inning as Darius Freeman doubled and moved to third on a wild pitch. After Lafayette alum Brayden Luikart walked, Freeman came home to score on a passed ball for the opening run, with Luikart advancing to second base. A single by Benton alum Chris Coy drove in Luikart and in the very next at bat Coy scored on a single by Easton Phillipe putting St. Joseph up 3-0 after one inning.
Tyler Gundelfinger extended the lead in the second inning with his first home run of the season. In the fourth inning, Gundelfinger added another run scoring on a wild pitch, with Logan Miller moving to third base after he singled. Miller scored later in the inning on a fielders choice as Luikart reached first safely and Darius Freeman was out at second, pushing the Mustangs lead to 6-0.
Gundelfinger drove in another run in the fifth inning, an unearned run scoring Justin George after George reached on a throwing error. A sacrifice fly by Freeman drove in Lafayette alum Jayden Little for another unearned run. In the eighth inning, Freeman scored on a wild pitch as Dom Felix walked, moving Luikart to third. Coy walked the game off in the eighth with an RBI single driving in Luikart.
Gundelfinger was 3-for-3 with the home run and two RBI’s and a walk, also stealing two bases, in the win. Coy was 2-for-4 with two RBI’s and a walk while Freeman was 2-for-3 with an RBI, a walk, and two runs scored. Aron Harrington earned the win pitching five innings and giving up two hits while striking out six and walking one. East Buchanan alum Bronco Whitt threw one inning of relief and gave up one hit and struck out one.
The Mustangs are now 10-1, 6-0 in MINK League play. They have one more game at home tomorrow, before a four game road trip, taking on the Sedalia Bombers at Phil Welch Stadium. First pitch at 7pm, gates open at 5:30.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.
