By MATT PIKE
The St. Joseph Mustangs rallied back in the ninth inning after falling behind to steal a game from the Jefferson City Renegades, winning 7-5 on the road in Missouri's capitol.
The Mustangs led early though behind a good start from Cade Perkins, building a 3-0 lead through the first three innings. In the first inning, a double by Dom Felix drove in Lafayette alum Brayden Luikart and Darius Freeman for the first two runs. Then in the third inning, Logan Miller scored on a groundout by Luikart to extend the lead.
Jefferson City got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning Alex DiGicianto scoring on a groundout by Drew Vonder Harr. The Renegades tied the game up in the seventh inning with a double by P.J. Green driving in both Will Bachman and Tyler Towe. In the eighth inning Jefferson City took their first lead of the game as Harr scored on an RBI single by Bachman.
Trailing 4-3 entering the final inning, the Mustangs rallied, first tying the game with a bases loaded walk to Miller, scoring Benton alum Chris Coy. St. Joseph took the lead on a wild pitch, bringing home Easton Phillipe, before Freeman singled, driving in Miller and Lafayette alum Jayden Little. In the bottom half of the inning, the Renegades managed one run, an unearned run as Green scored on a groundout by Braydn O'Neal, before Jase Johnson closed the game out for the save.
Despite earning a no decision, Perkins pitched well over five innings giving up one run on seven hits, striking out four. Northwest Missouri State's Andrew Clark earned the win, pitching 1 2/3 of relief giving up one run on two hits and striking out two. At the plate, Freeman was 2-for-4 with two RBI's while Miller was 2-for-4 with one RBI. Little was 0-for-1 with two walks and a run scored, stealing a base.
The Mustangs are now 18-2 on the season, 13-1 in the MINK League, and wrap up their road trip with a doubleheader of two seven inning games in Chillicothe tomorrow.
You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.