DUBUQUE - Dubuque Hempstead beat Dubuque Wahlert, 8-7, Wednesday night in a Mississippi Valley Conference baseball game at Hempstead.

The Mustangs' win dropped Wahlert (27-8, 18-6) one game behind Cedar Rapids Kennedy (26-8, 19-5) in the Mississippi Division race with two games to play.

Wahlert, ranked third in Class 3A, closes out its conference season Friday at home with a doubleheader against Valley Division co-leader Cedar Rapids Xavier (24-8, 17-7). The Saints are ranked No. 9 in Class 4A.

Kennedy finishes the conference season Friday night with a doubleheader at Waterloo West.