Fifth-seeded Mustangs split match play openers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Mount Mercy made its way into the top five during the qualifying round on Thursday, then split match play openers in the red bracket at the Intercollegiate Team Championships at Kingpin Lanes.

The Mustangs finished with a total pinfall of 4,968 during qualifying, good for fifth place and the number five seed in match play. The top four seeds were Webber International (5,229), Lawrence Tech (5,047), Indiana Tech (5,026), and Wichita State (4,993).

In the first round of match play, fifth-seeded Mount Mercy rolled to a 4-2 victory over 12th-seeded Pikeville to set up a second-round matchup with fourth-seeded Wichita State. The Shockers defeated the Mustangs, 4-1, sending Mount Mercy into the consolation bracket where they will see a rematch with Pikeville or a showdown with 13th-seeded St. Ambrose on Friday at 9:45 am Eastern.

Wichita State and 16th-seeded Muskingum are undefeated and square off in round five at 1:00 pm. It's win or go home for the Mustangs, who are hoping for a long day on Friday. Mount Mercy could play as many as four matches. A win over the Bears or Bees means another elimination match at 1:00 pm, with the potential for matches again at 3:00 and 5:15 pm. Other teams remaining in the red bracket are top-seeded Webber International and ninth-seeded Midland.

Undefeated in the blue bracket are second-seeded Lawrence Tech and 11th-seeded Wisconsin-Whitewater, who meet up in round five at 1:00 pm. Also alive are 15th-seeded McKendree, sixth-seeded SCAD-Savannah, 14th-seeded Grand Canyon, 10th-seeded Marian, and third-seeded Indiana Tech.

At the conclusion of the day on Friday, only the survivors of the red bracket and blue bracket will move on to Saturday's final at 5:45 pm to crown the national champion.