The St. Joseph Mustangs broke a four-game MINK League losing streak with a 5-2 victory in 16 innings at Joplin Monday, but then lost game two of the doubleheader, 3-2.

In game one, Mustangs’ shortstop Tim Caputo came up with the big hit for St. Joe as he hit a three-run double in the top of the 16th inning with one out to break a 2-2 tie.

St. Joseph jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third as Tanner Lubach hit a two-run single, but Joplin scored single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to tie the game.

Cody Cunningham made the start for the Mustangs as he went 6.1 innings and allowed nine hits and just one earned run.

St. Joe relievers Chris Green and Carlos Rodriguez combined to throw 9.2 innings as they allowed only three hits and no runs.  Rodriguez picked up his first win as he went six innings and struck out four.

Patrick Burkhart led the Mustangs’ 12-hit attack as he went 3-for-7, while Lubach, Mark Robinette and Shane Segovia had two hits each.

In game two, St. Joseph jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first as Kyle Simpson drove in Maxime LeFevre, but Joplin pitcher Travis Northern shut down the Mustangs until the seventh inning.

The Outlaws ended up taking the lead with single runs in the second, third and seventh innings, and then St. Joe rallied with one in the seventh, but that was all they could muster.

The Mustangs had just six hits and Tim Caputo led the way with two hits, including a double.

Jonathan McCann suffered the loss as he threw a complete game.  He seven hits and three runs, while stricking out three and walking five.

St. Joseph is now 31-15 and 26-15 in the MINK League.  They close out the regular season Tuesday night at Chillicothe at 7:00 p.m.