The St. Joseph Mustangs suffered their first loss of the season Monday night in Bolivar as they lost to the Branson Nationals 7-4.

St. Joe’s summer college baseball team drops to 5-1 this season and 3-1 in the MINK League.

The Mustangs jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Jacob Richardson, Kyle Richards and Trent Hill all drove in one run, but St. Joseph didn’t do much offensivley after that until the ninth inning.

Branson came back with seven unanswered runs as they scored one in the second inning, two in the third, three more runs in the sixth inning and they capped it off with a single run in the eighth.

St. Joe’s Scott Braren had a pinch-hit RBI double in the ninth to cap off the scoring.

Blake Kolons started for the Mustangs and received a no-decision.  He went 4.0 innings and allowed seven hits and three runs.  Tony Yacovetta suffered the loss in relief as he allowed three runs and three hits in two innings.

St. Joseph continues their four-game road trip Tuesday as they play at Joplin.  The first pitch is at 7:00 p.m.