Kernels split twinbill: Mitchell's high school baseball team bounces back with Mastel's strong pitching performance

Evan Mastel pitched a complete-game shutout in game two as the Mitchell high school baseball team split a doubleheader with Yankton Sunday at Drake Field in Mitchell.

The Kernels dropped game one 4-0 but bounced back with a 3-0 win in game two.

Mastel recorded his third complete game of the season Sunday, allowing seven hits and striking out four in the victory.

"His No. 1 strength is he throws strikes," Mitchell head coach Luke Norden said. "He keeps his pitch count down, and that's why he's able to throw long games for us."

Josh Schmidt got the start in game one for Mitchell and pitched 5 1/3 innings. He allowed two runs on five hits and one walk. He struck out three batters and took the loss.

The Kernels' bats were held silent in game one as Yankton's Tanner Hermansen pitched a complete-game two-hit shutout.

"Offensively, we were a little sluggish," Norden said. "This is the time of year where you really need to focus mentally. We're going to need to pick it up mentally during this last stretch run."

Lakin Neugebauer and Brent Havlik were the only Mitchell hitters to record in a hit.

The Kernels were able to get on the board early in game two, as Zach Bennett scored on a Seth Cavanaugh double in the first inning.

"Our team has done a good job of scoring early in games," Norden said. "Generally, we play our best when we get up early and continue to put pressure on."

Bennett reached base on a walk in his first at bat of the game and stole second and third base before Cavanaugh's double.

"We've got a lot of stolen bases this year and done a really good job of running the bases," Norden said. "Sometimes it kick starts guys to be aggressive and get the momentum swinging in your direction."

Bennett hit a double in his next at-bat and recorded his third stolen base of the game after stealing third. Cavanaugh took advantage with his second RBI of the game with a single to left.

Lane Sawatzke took the loss for Yankton on the mound with five innings pitched. Sawatzke allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and two walks.

Mitchell (13-6) is scheduled to return to the diamond Tuesday against Mount Vernon-Plankinton-Woonsocket in Mitchell.