DES MOINES — Blake Mooney’s inspired pitching performance lifted the Ottumwa baseball team to a 7-0 win at CIML Metro conference opponent Des Moines Hoover in the bottom half of a doubleheader Monday. Mooney’s impressive outing on the mound saved the Bulldogs from what could have been a disastrous road trip.

The Bulldogs were upset by the Huskies 5-4 in the top half of the doubleheader. Hoover went into the doubleheader with only three victories on the season.

“Blake Mooney pitched real well in the second game,” head coach Mike Egbert said.

Mooney only allowed two hits in his seven innings of work. In addition, Mooney helped his own cause by providing the Bulldogs’ offense with some pop — he went 2-for-4 with an RBI double.

“An all-around solid game for him (Blake) tonight,” Egbert said.

Bulldog Collin Schulz turned in a sterling offensive performance; going 3-for-4 with three RBI. Ottumwa’s leadoff hitter Seth Griffiths also had a tremendous game at the plate — he finished 3-for-4.

“We bounced back [from game one} nice,” Egbert said. It’s good to get a split and come home with a win.”

The Huskies erased a one-point deficit with two runs in the bottom of the seventh to pick up the victory in game one.

Bulldog starting pitcher Derek Craff took the loss. He allowed five runs on 11 hits while striking out five in six and a third innings.

The top of the Bulldogs’ batting order provided the bulk of the team’s offense, producing six of Ottumwa’s eight hits. Kyle Keck, The Bulldogs No. 3 hitter; went 2-for-3, tripled and drove in two runs.

The Bulldogs (18-12) host conference opponent Des Moines East Thursday at Legion Memorial Field for Senior Night. Ottumwa will play Cedar Rapids Prairie in the first round of Regionals in Cedar Rapids Friday, July 13.

“You always hope to earn a home game to start the postseason, but it is what it is,” Egbert said. “We’ll just have to go over there and bring our best game.”

Des Moines Hoover 5, Ottumwa 4

Ottu    201    000    1    —    4    8    1         

Hoov     201    000    2    —    5    11    1

Ottumwa battery — Derek Craff (L, 3-6) (6 1/3 IP, 11H, 5R, 5ER, 3K, 5BB), Luke McIntosh catching.

2B — Seth Griffiths, Mitch Stuchel.

3B — Kyle Keck.

Hits —  Griffiths 2-for-4, Collin Schulz 2-for-4, Michael Collins 1-for-3, Keck 2-for-3, Mitch Stuchel 1-for-2.

RBI — Griffiths, McIntosh. Runs — Griffiths, Schulz 2, Tyler Johns.

Hoover battery — Connor Cunningham (ND, 1-5) (7IP, 8H, 4R, 4ER, 3K, 5BB).

Hits — Matt Pearson 2-for-3, Cody Pifer 2-for-3, Max Lindstrom 3-for-4, Bak’r Brown 2-for-2, Ben Mitchell 1-for-3, Matt Andorf 1-for-2.

RBI — Lindstrom, Brown 3, Mitchell. Runs — Matt Pearson 2, Pifer 2, Lindstrom.

Ottumwa 7, Des Moines Hoover 0

Ottu    002    400    1    —    7    11    0         

Hoov     000    000    0    —    0    2    3

Ottumwa battery — Blake Mooney (W, 2-1) (7IP, 2H, 0R, 0ER, 4K, 0BB).

2B — Schulz, Mooney.

Hits —  Griffiths 3-for-4, Schulz 3-for-4, Keck 1-for-2, Mooney 2-for-4, Ollum 1-for-2, Bryce Ward 1-for-2.

RBI — Schulz 3, Mooney. Runs — Griffiths 2, Keck, Ollum 2, Ward, Cody Miller.

Hoover battery — Jordan Provost (L, 3-3) (3 2/3 IP, 7H, 6R, 4ER, 2K, 1BB) Colton Blackford (3 1/3 IP, 4H, 1R, 1ER, 2K, 2BB).

Hits —  Lindstrom 1-for-2, Aaron Sims 1-for-2.