Lancers Outslug Broncos in Offensive Showcase, Clinch Series Victory

YANKTON, S.D. – Mount Marty University used a relentless offensive onslaught to defeat Hastings College 17-14 in a high-scoring affair Friday afternoon at Riverside Field. 

Mount Marty came out firing, plating seven runs in the first two innings and never trailing throughout the contest. A six-run cushion after five frames proved just enough, as the Lancer bullpen held on against a late Hastings rally in the seventh.

Offensive Highlights:

• Shugo Kondo had a career day, going 3-for-4 with two home runs and a career-high seven RBIs, including a grand slam in the first and a two-run homer in the fifth.

• Aidan Chang added a pair of doubles and drove in three runs from the catcher position.

• Daniel Vonnegut homered and brought in three more runs, while Ryan Bachman tallied two hits and two RBIs.

• Joe Gokie and Will Gardner each contributed an RBI as part of a 13-hit Lancer attack.
• Jalen Owens broke the school record for stolen bases in a single season. 

Mount Marty scored in every inning except the sixth, including a five-run outburst in the fifth to extend their lead to 17-6.

On the mound:

• Jacob Walker (1-0) earned the win, tossing six innings and allowing six earned runs with six strikeouts.

• Zach Hegge picked up the save of the year, closing the door with the bases loaded and the tying run at the plate in the seventh.

Despite a late push that included a four-run homer by Jared Delgado in the final frame, Hastings (8-28, 5-17 GPAC) could not overcome the deficit.

The Broncos totaled 13 hits, including home runs from Delgado and Jordin Albertson, but also allowed 13 hits and seven walks on the mound.

 

Mount Marty Rallies Past Hastings in Game Two, 12–8

YANKTON, S.D. – Mount Marty secured a doubleheader sweep over Hastings with a 12–8 victory in game two on Tuesday afternoon at Riverside Field. Despite being outhit 20–11, the Lancers capitalized on timely offense, strong bullpen work, and Hastings' defensive miscues to improve to 23–16 on the season and 10–11 in GPAC play.

Catcher Aidan Chang led the way at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two home runs and five RBIs. Chang launched a solo homer in the third inning, then delivered a pivotal three-run shot in the fourth to spark a five-run rally that flipped a 4–2 deficit into a 7–4 lead. He later added a sacrifice fly in the seventh.

Jalen Owens added two hits and three runs scored from the top of the lineup, while Ryan Bachman contributed two RBIs, including an RBI double in the first. Lucas Kampshoff chipped in a two-run single in the fifth that helped stretch Mount Marty's lead.

Hastings (8–29, 5–18 GPAC) came out swinging, putting up four runs in the third inning thanks to home runs from Jace Valdez, Elijah Merritt, and Jordin Albertson. The Broncos pulled within one run in the sixth, but Mount Marty responded with three more runs over the next two innings to put the game out of reach.

Despite collecting 20 hits, Hastings left 12 runners on base and committed three costly errors. Valdez led the Broncos with a two-run homer and an RBI double, while Merritt finished 3-for-4 with a homer, two RBIs, and a walk. Albertson also had three hits, including a solo home run and an RBI double.

On the mound, Garrett Siemsen (1-0) earned the win in relief for the Lancers, tossing 3.2 innings and allowing four runs on 10 hits while striking out three. Liam Bates closed the door with two scoreless innings to earn his first save of the season.

Aleczander Hardy (0-1) took the loss for Hastings, surrendering seven runs in 3.2 innings of work, including both of Chang's home runs.