Game One
Mount Marty Edges Peru State in Tight Contest
Yankton, S.D. – Mount Marty secured a narrow 5-4 victory over Peru State in a hard-fought matchup, using timely hitting and solid pitching to hold off a late rally.
The Lancers struck first in the bottom of the first inning, with Jalen Owens driving in Ryan Bachman to take a 1-0 lead. Peru State responded quickly in the second inning, scoring twice on an RBI groundout from Kutty George and an RBI single from Doel Pina to go up 2-1. They extended their lead in the third when Garrett Pavletich singled in Antonio Benitez, making it 3-1 in favor of the Bobcats.
Mount Marty quickly closed the gap in the bottom of the third, executing a double steal that saw Owens swipe second while Bachman stole home to cut the deficit to 3-2. The Lancers then took control in the fourth, tying the game with an RBI single from Bachman before a groundout from Owens brought in Cannon Marshall, giving Mount Marty a 4-3 advantage.
The Lancers added a crucial insurance run in the sixth, as Will Gardner worked a bases-loaded walk to extend the lead to 5-3. Peru State mounted a comeback attempt in the seventh, with Tyson Fancher driving in Jackson Lynch on a groundout, but Mount Marty's bullpen held firm to close out the win.
Mount Marty's Offensive Standouts:
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Ryan Bachman led the charge, going 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.
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Jalen Owens contributed two RBIs and stole two bases.
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Will Gardner added an RBI and drew two walks.
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The Lancers collected 13 hits in total, demonstrating their ability to put pressure on the opposition.
Pitching Performances:
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Starter Aspen Dahl (1-0) earned the win, tossing four innings while allowing three runs on four hits with two strikeouts.
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Garrett Siemsen (SV, 1) shut the door with three strong innings of relief, surrendering one run while striking out two.
For Peru State, Kevin Diaz (0-1) took the loss despite a solid five-inning outing, allowing four runs on 11 hits while striking out five.
Game Two
Mount Marty Secures 9-2 Victory Over Peru State
YANKTON, S.D. – The Mount Marty Lancers continued their strong start to the season with a dominant 9-2 win over Peru State on Sunday. The Lancers used a pair of big innings to pull away and secure their fourth victory of the season.
Early Struggles, Strong Finish Peru State struck first, capitalizing on a wild pitch in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. However, the Lancers' pitching staff held the Bobcats to just one additional run for the rest of the game.
Mount Marty's offense came to life in the fourth inning when Christian Berry delivered a two-RBI single to give the Lancers a 2-1 lead. After Peru State tied it up in the fifth, Mount Marty responded in the bottom of the inning with back-to-back RBI doubles from Conor Michaud and Shugo Kondo, making it a 4-2 game.
The Lancers put the game out of reach with a five-run sixth inning. Michaud came through again with a bases-clearing double, bringing in three runs. Tyler Vance followed with a two-run single, capping off the scoring at 9-2.
Pitching Dominance Jake Stolnack (1-0) earned the win for Mount Marty, throwing five solid innings while allowing just two hits and two runs. He struck out four and walked three. Jacob Walker came in for the final two innings, shutting the door on the Bobcats with three strikeouts and no hits allowed.
On the other side, Casey Ogden (0-1) took the loss for Peru State, surrendering two earned runs on three hits over four innings. The Bobcats' bullpen struggled, giving up seven runs in the final two frames.
Key Performers
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Mount Marty: Conor Michaud (2-for-3, two doubles, 4 RBIs), Christian Berry (1-for-2, 2 RBIs), Tyler Vance (1-for-3, 2 RBIs), Jake Stolnack (5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 4 K)
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Peru State: Antonio Benitez (1 RBI), Jonas Meairs-Richman (1-for-2, 1 BB)
Game Three
Gardner's Two Homers Power Mount Marty Past Peru State, 10-4
YANKTON, S.D. – Will Gardner put on a show at the plate, launching two home runs and driving in five RBIs, while Slayder Watterson dominated on the mound as Mount Marty cruised to a 10-4 victory over Peru State.
Early Fireworks from Gardner
Mount Marty wasted no time taking control in the first inning, as Gardner crushed a three-run home run, bringing home Shugo Kondo and Conor Michaud for a quick 3-0 lead.
The Lancers tacked on another run in the fourth inning, when Lucas Kampshoff scored on a misplay in left field, extending the advantage to 4-0.
Watterson Dazzles on the Mound
Starting pitcher Slayder Watterson (1-0) was dominant, tossing six scoreless innings, allowing only two hits while striking out 10 batters.
Late Inning Scoring
Peru State finally broke through in the seventh inning, scoring two unearned runs off a Jaled Mercader double. However, Mount Marty quickly responded with two runs of their own to maintain a 6-2 lead.
The eighth inning saw the Lancers put the game out of reach:
Peru State's Kutty George hit a two-run homer in the ninth, but it wasn't enough to spark a comeback.
Key Performers
Mount Marty
- Will Gardner (LF): 3-for-3, 2 HR, 5 RBIs, 2 R, SB
- Shugo Kondo (C): 1-for-4, 2 RBIs, 1 BB
- Conor Michaud (1B): 2-for-5, 2 R, 2 SB
- Slayder Watterson (P): 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 10 K
Peru State
- Kutty George (3B): 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBIs, 2 R, BB
- Jaled Mercader (LF): 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBIs
Game Four
Mount Marty Dominates Peru State in Offensive Showcase, Wins 18-8
YANKTON, S.D. – Mount Marty put on an offensive clinic on Saturday, overpowering Peru State 18-8 in a seven-inning contest to improve to 5-2 on the season. The Lancers racked up 16 hits, including four home runs, while keeping the Bobcats' offense in check until the late innings.
The game started with a bang as Will Gardner launched a first-inning grand slam to give Mount Marty a quick 4-0 lead. Cannon Marshall followed with a solo homer in the second to extend the lead to 5-0. Peru State chipped away with two runs in the third and fourth innings, highlighted by a solo homer from Jomar Perez, but Mount Marty responded with steady offense of its own.
Joe Gokie and Aidan Chang added their own home runs in the fourth and fifth innings, while Cooper Mlnarik and Gokie delivered clutch doubles in the sixth as part of a nine-run explosion that put the game out of reach.
On the mound, Palmer Jacobs (1-0) earned the win, tossing 3.2 innings while allowing four runs on seven hits. Zach Hegge provided 2.1 scoreless innings of relief, striking out three.
Peru State made a late push with four runs in the seventh, but Chase King closed the door, securing the run-rule victory for Mount Marty.
The Lancers (5-2) will look to keep their hot bats going in their next matchup.
Key Performers:
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Mount Marty:
- Will Gardner: 2-for-4, HR, 4 RBI
- Joe Gokie: 4-for-5, HR, 4 RBI, 2B
- Aidan Chang: 2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI
- Cannon Marshall: 1-for-3, HR, RBI
- Palmer Jacobs (W, 1-0): 3.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
- Zach Hegge: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 3 K
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Peru State:
- Jomar Perez: 2-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI
- Josh Schaller: 3-for-3, 2B, RBI
Mount Marty continues to showcase its power at the plate, outscoring opponents 28-12 over the last two games. Next up Mount Marty will be heading to Tucson, AZ to begin their spring break trip. The Lancers will play six varstiy games as well as four JV games.
