Master’s University second baseman Matt Janes fields a hit ball by William Jessup’s Joshua Duitsman for the final out of the first inning Friday Feb. 24, 2017 at Lou Herwalt Stadium. Master’s beat William Jessup 7-3 in the first game of a three game series.

The victory moved the Mustangs closer to the .500 mark (8-10) and improved their GSAC record to 2-5.

Sheaffer’s second homer of the season capped a four-run rally that erased a 3-0 deficit and put the Mustangs ahead to stay.

Blanked on three hits through the first five frames by Warrior starter Tristan Pryblinski, the Mustangs initiated their comeback when freshman Moises Garcia beat out an infield single to start the sixth and moved to second base on Ricky Sottile’s walk. Following a strikeout, a groundout moved both runners up 90 feet in front of Jonah Jarrard, who plated both of them with a ringing, two-run double to right-center field.

Running for Jarrard, Josh Robison didn’t spend much time on second base because Sheaffer hammered a Pryblinski offering over the left field fence to chase the lefthander and put the Mustangs in front 4-3.

An inning later, the Mustangs profited from a Warrior miscue when Matt Janes scored on an error by Warrior pitcher Danny Vietti. Janes led off the seventh with a single, advanced to second base on a Robison sacrifice bunt, and scored when Warrior pitcher Danny Vietti mishandled the ball after Danny Lutz singled.

The Mustangs put the game away in the eighth inning, stringing three hits together and capitalizing on another Jessup error to score the game’s final two runs.

Aaron Shackelford doubled to lead off the frame and scored one out later on a Sheaffer single to left field. The rbi was Sheaffer’s third of the game and his team-leading 16th of the season. Robison, running for Sheaffer, raced to second base on Jason Karkenny’s single to right field and then scored on a botched fielder’s choice.

Freshman reliever Aiden Stout, who had relieved starter Robert Winslow in the top of the seventh, protected a one-run lead initially and then cruised to his second save of the campaign when his teammates created more space with their seventh and eighth-inning production.

Stout was unhittable in his three-inning stint and struck out two Warriors.

Meanwhile, Winslow (2-2) produced another quality start. He went six innings for the fourth time in six starts, surrendering three earned runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out three.

Slowly battling their way out of a season-starting hitting slump, the Mustangs battered the Warrior pitching staff for 11 hits, eight of which came after the fifth inning.

Sheaffer’s 3-4 performance led the offense while Jarrard went 2-4.

With a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday between the two clubs, the Mustangs have an opportunity to even their overall record while drawing closer to the top of the pack in the GSAC. The twinbill starts at 11:00am.

Santa Clarita, CA Feb. 24, 2017 — Master’s University starting pitcher Robert Winslow delivers a pitch against William Jessup Friday Feb. 24, 2017. Winslow gave up 7 hits and 3 runs in six innings to earn the win as Master’s beat William Jessup 7 – 3 in the first game of a three game series.

Santa Clarita, Ca. Feb. 24, 2017 — The Master’s University relief pitcher Aiden Stout delivers a pitch during the 7th inning agains William Jessup at Lou Herwalt Stadium Friday Feb. 24, 2017. Stout pitched three scoreless innings in relief and earned the save as Master’s overcame a 3-0 deficit to win the first game of a three game series 7-3.

Master’s University second baseman Matt Janes fields a hit ball by William Jessup’s Joshua Duitsman for the final out of the first inning Friday Feb. 24, 2017 at Lou Herwalt Stadium. Master’s beat William Jessup 7-3 in the first game of a three game series.

Photos by Kevin Karzin