Jacksonville Fl-The Mandarin Mustangs’ baseball season has been a rollercoaster ride, but they’re proving that it’s not about how you start—it’s about how you finish. After stumbling out of the gate with a 2-7 record, including tough losses to tough opponents Tocoi Creek (14-5), Englewood (9-8), First Coast (10-7), and Episcopal (15-5), they have turned things around in a big way. Now, sitting at 11-10, the Mustangs themselves have a winning record and are making noise in the Gateway Conference Tournament.
A big part of the turnaround has been the team’s offensive firepower. CJ Murphy has been a hitting machine, tallying 22 hits on the season. John Brooks isn’t far behind with 21 hits and has driven in 11 RBIs. Cole Rusak has been a clutch bat in the lineup, bringing in 17 RBIs on 16 hits, while Makarios Brown is sporting an impressive .513 slugging percentage with 15 hits and 12 RBIs. Malik Morrison (13 hits) and Hunter Simpson (10 hits) have also contributed key moments at the plate.
On the mound, the Mustangs have found their groove behind sophomore standout Hunter Simpson. He has racked up three wins with an impressive 37 strikeouts. Jack Bernard has also secured three wins and added 21 strikeouts, while closer John Brooks has shut the door on opponents with 21 strikeouts of his own. Speedster Gavin Loper has been a menace on the basepaths, swiping eight stolen bases this season.
Mandarin’s big blow was a 2-out 2-run triple by SS @HunterSimpson27 @BrentASJax @DuvalSports @CFreemanJAX Mandarin takes on Top Seed Fletcher Tuesday @ Baldwin 4pm pic.twitter.com/A7IgsS6RPr
— Strikeout Photography (@PaulSim5198139) March 31, 2025
Their latest victory came in the opening round of the Gateway Conference Tournament, where they took down Wolfson 4-1.
Tuesday they faced their biggest test yet—the No. 1 seed Fletcher, who edged them out in a nail-biting extra-inning game just four days ago, 3-2. This time Mandarin were hungry for revenge in the rematch upsetting Fletcher 6-5.
If they can pull off another upset when they move on to face the winner of Baldwin vs. Atlantic Coast, they’ll find themselves one game away from winning the Gateway Conference championship. Head Coach Matt Miller has instilled a fighting spirit in this team, and with their recent momentum, the Mustangs are ready to make a statement.
Can they keep their hot streak alive and take down the top seed? One thing is for sure—this team is playing its best baseball when it matters most. Buckle up, because the Mustangs revving up at the right time.
Photos by Strikeout Photography
