The Master’s University baseball team completed a three-game series sweep of Cal-Pac Conference foe, Marymount California University, with a pair of victories in Saturday’s doubleheader by scores of 10-4 and 5-2.

Game 1: TMU: 10, MCU: 4

The Mustangs flooded the visiting Mariners with five runs in the bottom of the first to chase Marymount’s Austin Dubois after just one inning of work. TMU batted through the line-up and rapped out a double and four singles in the opening frame. The Mustangs were also aided by a walk and an error to produce the big inning that had them in control with a 5-1 advantage.

After giving up a run in the top of the first, TMU’s starter, Robert Winslow, settled in and hurled three consecutive scoreless innings. He worked out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the third that was created by an error followed by back-to-back singles. The sophomore from Saugus struck out the Mariners catcher, Andrew Banuelos, to end the inning.

Nate Bonsell was called upon for the second consecutive day, this time going four innings out of the bullpen. Marymount narrowed the Mustang lead when the southpaw was touched up for three runs in the top of the seventh, which included an error, a balk, and three hits.

However, the home team responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the frame to restore the lead to five by a score of 9-4. Matt Janes and Scott Savage each drove in a run in the inning, their second RBI of the game, respectively.

TMU head coach Monte Brooks commented on the first game by saying, “We had solid outings today in all facets of the game. I am encouraged by our approaches at the plate in clutch situations.”

Bonsell’s four innings of work earned him the victory, the first of his TMU career. The Mustangs added another run in the eighth frame, to account for the final score of 10-4.

Game 2: TMU: 5, MCU: 2

Senior Aaron Alexander strolled to the mound as the Mustangs starter for the seven-inning nightcap. He conceded a run in the opening inning, which imitated the first game of the doubleheader for the Mustangs. Alexander allowed just one hit over the next three innings before running into trouble in the fifth.

TMU tied the game in the bottom of the first after Max Maitland led off with a single. He was able to cross home plate after a walk and two consecutive fielder’s choice plays that allowed the opportunistic base runner to knot the score at 1-1.

Maitland was the antagonist again in the bottom of the third, as he led off with a triple, and sophomore Aaron Shackelford followed with a home run to give the “quick-strike” Mustangs a 3-1 advantage.

In the fifth inning, Alexander allowed three hits but got a force out and a strike out in between as he gave way to junior Scott Savage with the bases loaded. Savage allowed an RBI single to the first batter he faced, but the damage was kept to just one run as right fielder Caleb Menez threw out Marymount’s Dylan McDonnell at the plate to protect TMU’s advantage at 3-2. The throw was perfect as catcher Jonah Jarrard secured the ball and was calmly waiting for the runner to dive into his glove.

In the home half of the same inning the Mustangs added two insurance runs in bizarre fashion. A single, a passed ball, a walk, and four wild pitches allowed TMU to extend their lead to the eventual final score of 5-2.

The Mustang Skipper, now is his 21st season as head coach, has perspective on what he observed in his ball club this weekend. “I like how we are progressing. We made some great defensive plays,” commented Brooks.

Junior Scott Savage, earned his second save in as many days with 2-1/3 innings of shutout relief work. Savage allowed two hits and struck out three.

TMU will return to Lou Herwaldt Stadium on Tuesday, when the Mustangs put their pre-season No. 11 NAIA national ranking on the line, as they welcome NCCAA member, Bethesda University of California, to Placerita Canyon for a 2:00 pm first pitch.