It wasn't the start to the season Ross Martin was hoping for.

Moniteau's baseball coach watched his team fall behind early in a 12-2, five-inning loss to Mohawk Monday afternoon at Pullman Park.

Mohawk scored nine runs in the first three frames. Leading 10-2 in the bottom of the fifth, the team received a two-run single from John Hartzell to end the game via the mercy rule.

“In these non-league games to begin the season, we're looking to compete,” said Martin. “We schedule good competition and want to be able to rise to the occasion. We did not do that today.

“Mohawk is a great team and we simply made too many little mistakes,” he added.

Mohawk greeted Moniteau starting pitcher Braydon McCorry with hot bats in the bottom of the first inning.

John Beatty, Ryan Penwell and Kevin Martin each had RBI-singles and Wyatt Montgomery added a run-scoring double.

By the time McCorry struck out Alix Abersold to end the inning, Moniteau was in a 6-0 hole.

That proved to be more than enough for Penwell, who pitched all five innings for Mohawk.

The senior right-hander did not allow a hit until McCorry's double to left in the top of the fourth.

The former finished the game with six strikeouts and two walks.

“Our original plan was to keep Ryan out there for three or four innings,” said Mohawk coach Kevin Sapp, “but he was throwing really well so we let him go a bit further.

“His best pitch is his curveball,” Sapp added. “When he can throw it for strikes, batters can have a tough time against him.”

Trailing 9-0, Moniteau got on the board in the top of the fifth.

Heath Lominski led off the inning with a double, advanced to third base on a passed ball and scored on Colton Cumberland's groundout.

Dave Campbell, who reached base after being hit by a pitch, scored on Kyle Armagost's base hit.

Mohawk ended the game with three runs in the next half inning.

McCorry pitched the first two innings for Moniteau and was followed by Joe Holfelder and Josh Stockert.

Moniteau will look for its first win of the season against KSAC rival A-C Valley, scheduled for Thursday night at Pullman Park.

Moniteau 000 02x x — 2 3 2Mohawk 603 03x x — 12 14 1W: Ryan Penwell 5 IP (6K, 2BB).

L: Braydon McCorry 2 IP (2K, 0BB).

Moniteau (0-1): Kyle Armagost 1B RBI, Braydon McCorry 2B, Heath Lominski 2B R, Dave Campbell R, Colton Cumberland RBI

Mohawk (1-0): Mike Anthony 1B R, Shane Eichenlaub 1B R, John Beatty 1B 3B 2R RBI, Wyatt Montgomery 2-2B 2R 2RBI, Ryan Penwell 3-1B 2RBI, Kevin Martin 2-1B 2R RBI, Chris Barber 2-1B R 2RBI, Austin Main 3R, John Hartzell 1B 2RBI

Thursday: A-C Valley vs. Moniteau at Pullman Park, 6:30 p.m.