ADAMS -- The Southland baseball team suffered its first loss of the season in a split of Monday's doubleheader with Rushford-Peterson in Adams.
Zach Stratton pitched the Rebels to a 7-3 win in the opener. Jacob Merchlewitz tossed 17 strikeouts and pitched the R-P Trojans to a 5-2 win in the late game.
Stratton had seven strikeouts and no walks, while allowing four hits in the opening-game win. Derek Berndt led the Southland offense with two hits and an RBI. Darin Dessner was the losing pitcher in the first game.
Berndt started on the hill for the Rebels and was replaced by Greg Retterath in the second inning of the late game.
Stratton and Irish of R-P each had a double in the second game. Alex Mierau had two hits and an RBI for R-P. The Rebels (2-1) play host to Caledonia at 4:30 p.m. Friday in a doubleheader.
