The Master’s University baseball team sure picked the right time to get rolling.
After being left for dead just two weeks ago (15-17 overall and 6-10 in the Golden State Athletic Conference), the Mustangs have tallied eight wins in their past nine games and are now 23-18 overall and 13-11 in conference play, climbing to within two and a half games of first-place Vanguard.
The most recent wins, completing a weekend sweep, came in dominating fashion Saturday when TMU swept NAIA No. 9 Menlo out of first place on the strength of 8-2 and 7-1 routs at TMU’s Lou Herwaldt Stadium.
The series kicked off Friday with the Mustangs beating the Oaks 3-2.
In Friday’s series-opener, Caleb Menez’ two-out single in the bottom of the sixth inning drove in the tying and go-ahead runs while TMU pitcher Robert Winslow made the slightest of leads stand up in a gutsy 3-2 victory.
Winslow, who went the distance, allowed eight hits and struck out a career-high 14 en route to his fourth win of the season (4-5).
Based on his performance, Robert Winslow was named the GSAC’s Pitcher Of The Week.
Outhit 8-6 on Friday, the Mustangs made the most of their hits with Michael Sexton (3-for-3) producing half of those.
Then, in Saturday’s opener, Aaron Alexander showed why he may be the GSAC’s top pitcher as the senior went the distance for the second straight weekend, allowing seven hits and striking out nine to improve to 7-2. His win total and 1.59 earned-run average lead the conference.
Offensively, Aaron Shackelford and David Sheaffer each went 3-for-4 with four RBIs apiece to lead the club’s 12-hit attack.
There was more power and pitching in the nightcap.
Scott Savage, making just his second start of the season to go along with 13 relief appearances, was just outstanding. The junior righty (3-3) tossed his first career complete game (seven innings), striking out four and allowing just one earned run.
The Mustangs rapped out 10 hits in the nightcap with Sexton’s 3-for-3, four-RBI performance leading the way while Jonah Jarrard went 2-for-3. Sexton was named the GSAC’s Player Of The Week.
Back in the thick of the conference race, the Mustangs will play a couple of non-conference games this week in advance of Easter next weekend. On Tuesday, the club will host Bethesda and then turn around a day later to entertain Marymount. Both games will start at 3 p.m.
Men’s track and field
TMU posted a handful of personal bests and NAIA national qualifying marks at the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational last Saturday.
Max Hudson’s performances in both the long jump (5.72 meters) and the javelin throw (43.85) set a new personal record and a new school record.
In the 1500, Josh Sherfey competed in the first section where he clocked a NAIA “B” standard qualifying time of 3 minutes, 54.71 seconds.
Sherfey’s time also marked a new personal record in the event. Currently, Sherfey has qualified to compete in the 1500, the 5000, the 10,000, and the marathon at the 66th Annual Men’s Outdoor Track & Field National Championships from May 25-27 at the Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Also in the 1500, Tobin Bolter finished the event in 3:58.51. Bolter’s performance was four seconds under his previous personal best, and just two seconds over the NAIA’s “B” standard.
In the 100, Sam Jaimes’ time of 11.39 demonstrated dedicated training as he posted an impressive mark with a strong head wind.
Jake Ortiz competed in the 400 where he won his heat and set a 2017 season personal record of 52.29.
Finally, in the 800, Skyler Mikesell set a 2017 personal best after finishing the event in 1:56.57.
Next Thursday and Friday, the Mustangs, who recently ranked sixth in the nation by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, will compete at the Bryan Clay Invitational on the campus of Azusa Pacific University.
Women’s track and field
Last Saturday, the Mustangs posted a number of new personal records at the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational.
Madison Cole kicked things off by competing in the pole vault where she matched her 2017 season personal record by clearing 2.80 meters.
In the 1500, Morgan Pedrick competed in the first section where she clocked a new 2017 season personal record of 4:38.50.
Later on, Tess Thompson set personal records in both the 100 (13.10) and the 200 (26.96). Thompson’s time in the 100 also set a new TMU record (previous mark: 13.11, Ayla Draper, 2013). Every time Thompson has competed this season, she has posted a new lifetime best.
Finally, Ariana Sciarra set a new season personal record by finishing the 800 in 2:27.81.
This Thursday and Friday, the Mustangs, who recently ranked 18th in the nation by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, will compete at the Bryan Clay Invitational on the campus of Azusa Pacific University.
