March 28, 2024

PCM completes weekend sweep

The Prairie-City Monroe baseball team (17-10) headed into the weekend looking for a spark of momentum, and the boys got exactly what they were looking for.

The Mustangs took down Heart of Iowa conference rival Collins-Maxwell/Baxter on Friday, 7-2, and then proceeded to sweep Pleasantville in a doubleheader on Saturday.

The Raiders have had a largely forgettable season on the diamond. CMB has won just one game so far this season, and matters did not get any better during Friday night’s game against the Mustangs.

The Mustangs had several solid performances in the field as well as at the plate in their 7-2 victory.

Freshman lefty Austin Brown got the start and picked up the win for PCM. Brown pitched six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven Raider batters. He was replaced in the seventh inning by Chase Keuning, who pitched a scoreless final frame to put the Raiders to bed.

Senior Ethan Kain led the team with two RBI. He went 2-for-3 with a run scored and two stolen bases. Alex DeWittle chipped in with a 1-for-4 effort that included a solo homer.

Freshman leadoff hitter Clay Cooper was 1-for-3 with two runs scored, a walk and a stolen base. Zach Uhlenhopp had two hits in three at-bats with an RBI and a stolen base. Nathan VandeWall had a double in three at-bats to go along with a walk and two runs scored.

The Mustangs then took on Pleasantville for a Saturday doubleheader, and they got the sweep.

PCM won the first game, 5-4, having to go one extra inning to take care of business. The Mustangs walked off on a throwing error in the bottom of the eighth.

VandeWall got the win in relief. He pitched two hitless innings, and he also had a 1-for-4 effort at the plate with a run scored. Tyler Townsend started the game for PCM. He pitched six innings of five-hit ball, allowing two earned runs.

DeWitte was the offensive star for PCM. He had four hits in four at-bats including a solo homer in the bottom of the fourth inning. Keuning was 1-for-3 with two runs scored. His three-run homer in the sixth inning tied the game at the time. Kain was 1-for-4 with a double.

In Game Two, the Mustangs would not need the extra inning. In fact, they were able to go home early, ending the game after five innings with a 12-1 victory.

Keuning picked up the win for PCM. He pitched five innings, allowing just one hit and no earned runs.

Kain had an offensive explosion in this game. He was 4-for-4 with three runs scored, a double and four RBI. His three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning ended the game.

Cooper also went 4-for-4. He had a double, two runs scored, as stolen base and an RBI. VandeWall was 3-for-4 with two runs scored, an RBI and two doubles. DeWitte was 2-for-2 with a run scored a double and two RBI.