Schwab Shines on the Mound as the Mustangs Sweep MidAmerica Nazarene

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The Mustang pitching staff had themselves a day on Friday, pitching two masterclass performances in a sweep of (RV) MidAmerica Nazarene, 1-0 and 4-1.

Game One

The series opener was a pitchers duel between both teams, as the Mustangs and Pioneers would combine for just one run and three hits. The Mustangs two hits came off the bats of Jeremy Figueroa and Garrett Dennis, while the lone RBI came from Bryce Brown, who reached on a fielding error by the Pioneer first baseman while Jaden Hackbarth came across to score.

Ashton Schwab delivered one of his best outings of the season, pitching a complete game shutout while allowing just one hit. The one hit for the Pioneers came in the top of the first inning on the second batter of the game, but from there, it was all about the Mustang southpaw, as he tore through the Pioneer lineup. Schwab would go on to strike out seven MNU players while just walking two. Luis Lopez earned the loss for MidAmerica Nazarene, throwing six innings and allowing the one run while striking out seven.

Game Two

The nightcap featured a bit more offense from both teams, as the two would combine for five runs and nine hits, while the Mustangs would take most of those on offense. Hackbarth was the only Mustang to record more than one hit, while Tyler Pecson drove in a game high two runs in the win.

Both of Pecson's runs came in the bottom of the first inning as he would double down the left field line, driving in Figueroa and Hackbarth. Pecson would come across to score later in the inning as an errant throw from the Pioneer third baseman would sail over the catchers head as Pecson broke for the plate. The Mustangs would extend their lead to four in the third inning as Nick Meyer would singled to right center, drive in Dennis. The Pioneers would get on the board on a Brentt Olmo single to right center.

Tyler Nagelbach would deliver yet another impressive game for the Mustangs, throwing six innings and allowing two hits and just one run while striking out seven. Nagelbach would take a no-hitter into the sixth before the Pioneers got on the board. Cole Conner earned his fifth save, throwing a perfect inning in the seventh, not allowing a hit while striking out the side in order. Adam Gray earned the loss, throwing six innings and allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out eight.

The Mustangs and Pioneers will close out the series on Saturday, with a doubleheader slated to start at 1 p.m.