Mustangs strong out the gate this season
The St. Joseph Mustangs are off to a superb start to their MINK League title defense, opening the regular season at 3-0 following this weekend.
On Wednesday, St. Joseph welcomed a new team to town in its season opener in the Northeast Missouri Craze. The Mustangs won in shutout fashion 11-0 and put on a pitching clinic with 20 strikeouts on the night. Of those who contributed to the stellar pitching performance, it was starter Aron Harrington who led the way with nine strikeouts. Local product and Mustangs veteran Truman Bodenhausen led the St. Joseph batting order with two hits, a run and an RBI against the Craze.
Following an off day on Thursday, the Mustangs hit the field again. Much like they had done on many occasions last season, the team took on their Tenderloins alter ego with new-look uniforms for the 2025 season against the Kansas City Monarchs. The Monarchs threw the first punch, launching a solo home run in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Unshaken, the Tenderloins gave the Monarchs a flurry of scoring in the first inning by scoring three runs in the inning. Kansas City would trail 5-1 heading into the fourth inning, but quickly swung themselves back into the contest when one of the team’s designated hitters launched a grand slam in the inning to tie the game at 5-5. The Tenderloins would do just enough to fend off the Monarchs and win 6-5.
On Saturday in the first MINK League contest of the season, the Nevada Griffons came into Phil Welch Stadium boasting a 1-0 record. Like the Monarchs did the night before, the Griffons landed the first punch of the game with an RBI from Griffin DuVall in the first inning. Little did the Griffons know, that would be the only run for them in the game. With the theme of night at Phil Welch “Northwest Missouri State Night,” it was only fitting that the Mustangs start current Bearcat Jaren Guck on the mound. Guck took pride in the start with 10 strikeouts in just 4.0 innings pitched, leading the Mustangs to an 11-1 win that ended in seven innings.
The Mustangs have some time off before they return to the field. St. Joseph will return to its home field on Wednesday for a rematch with the Kansas City Monarchs.
