SAINT JOSEPH, Mo. – Wednesday marked the first edition of what should be another entertaining MINK League North Division rivalry, just as it was in 2022.

Des Moines (9-7) out-hit St. Joseph 7-4, but the Peak Prospects committed five errors and had multiple baserunners tagged out in a 6-4 loss.

Designated hitter Alex Berreth (FR, NIACC) stole home in the top of the 2nd for the first run of the game, but catcher Oscar Pegg hit an RBI single to left field in the bottom of the inning for Saint Joseph (8-5, 7-5 MINK).

Third baseman Mason Holton added another Mustang run in the 4th on a wild pitch, but Des Moines tied it in the 6th off a sac-fly RBI from third baseman Cade Grevengoed (FR, Northeast CC [NE]) that scored Berreth.

Designated hitter Aron Harrington then singled for two runs in the bottom of the 6th to put the Mustangs up 4-2.

In the top of the 7th, Prospects right fielder Noah Cook (R-JR, Southern Illinois) brought the Mustang lead within one off an RBI single that scored left fielder Tanner Short (FR, Ellsworth CC).

But Mustangs right fielder Brayden Luikart scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 7th, followed by a sac-fly RBI in the 8th.

Des Moines first baseman Liam Gilbert, who went 3-4 on the day, drove in a two-out RBI single in the top of the 9th.

Houston Wedgeworth (FR, East Central CC [MS]) started the game for the Peak Prospects, giving up one hit in four innings. He had four strikeouts and gave up two runs, but none of the runs were earned.

The Peak Prospects have a two-day break before hosting Sedalia on Saturday for a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. CT.