The PCM summer teams played host to Saydel Thursday evening in Heart of Iowa Conference action, earning a split with the Eagles. The Mustang baseball team came out on top in one of the most bizarre games of the season, 22-12, while the softball team fell by an 8-5 final.

The PCM baseball team was hot out of the gate, plating five runs in the bottom of the first. The Mustangs tacked on eight more runs in the second to take a 13-0 lead. Saydel was able to get within 14-2 after the fourth, and PCM would only need three outs while holding Saydel to two runs or less to end it after 4 ½ innings.

That’s when the Eagles made a furious rally, scoring 10 runs in the top of the fifth to get within 14-12. The Mustangs utilized three different pitchers over the course of the inning. PCM had a momentous response of their own, scoring eight more runs in the frame, their second eight-run inning of the game. That would round out the scoring in what was undoubtedly the most peculiar game of PCM’s season so far.

Every player in the starting nine had at least one hit. Catcher Caleb Duinink had five hits to lead the way, including two triples and five RBI’s. Dane Owens had four hits and three RBI’s. Gabe Steenhoek, Andrew Mitchell and Sage Burns all had three hits. In total, PCM went through the entire batting order five complete times.

Andrew Mitchell, Kolten Johnson and Gabe Steenhoek all pitched in the game for PCM, with Mitchell going the first four plus innings, and Steenhoek finished the job in the final two plus innings. PCM improves to 4-6 overall and 4-5 in the conference.

The PCM softball team fell behind 3-1 after the first inning, but was gradually able to tie the game back up in the middle innings. Saydel added another run in the third, but the Mustangs scored one run in each of the first four innings to tie the game. It would remain tied going into the seventh, when Saydel scored four runs to take an 8-4 advantage. PCM put together a response in the bottom of the seventh, but was only able to score one run.

Riley Johannes had three hits and a double to lead the way at the plate. Joslin Briles had two hits, a double and two RBI’s as well. Both Mustang pitchers saw action, as Riley DeVore went the first 6 ⅓ innings. She allowed six hits and five walks while striking out one batter. PCM falls to 3-8 overall and 3-5 in the conference.

Both teams will be back in action this evening against North Polk. The softball team will host the Comets in Monroe at 7:00 p.m., while the baseball team will travel to Alleman for a 7:30 p.m. first pitch.