Mustangs edge Pride, get back in win column
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Clarke | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 1 |
|
Mount Mercy | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | X | 6 | 11 | 1 |
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – On Wednesday night at Busse Field, the Mount Mercy softball team faced off against Clarke in a Heart of America Athletic Conference clash that saw the Mustangs sweep the Pride, 3-0 and 6-4. The Mustangs are in first place of the North Division with a record of 18-11 and 11-3 in conference play.
In the opener, each team collected a hit in the first inning but not again until the sixth. Despite the cold and blustery conditions, Mount Mercy broke the scoreless tie on a Keily Ulatowski triple to right center, bringing home Rylee Goodfellow from first. Shelly Mack successfully laid down a suicide squeeze bunt to plate Ulatowski. A batter latter, Allie Poston went deep giving the Mustangs a 3-0 lead heading into the final frame. Jayna Witzany (10-2) continued her dominance on the mound, going seven strong and allowing no runs on two hits while striking out 10. This was her eighth game with double-digit strikeouts, giving her a total of 144, which is seventh-best in the nation. Goodfellow went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Ulatowski, Mack, and Poston each added had an RBI.
The nightcap featured 22 hits, 11 by each team. Mount Mercy had to come from behind to secure the sweep, scoring three in the bottom of the sixth for the second consecutive game. The Mustangs scored one in each of the first three innings for a 3-1 lead heading into the fifth. Clarke (7-17, 1-11 Heart) finally got to starting pitcher Kalli Minger, collecting four hits and scoring three runs to take a 4-3 lead. Jade Sharp drew a one-out walk in the sixth and Goodfellow singled to right field to get things started. Back-to-back doubles from Mack and Poston put the Mustangs on top for good. In just her eighth appearance of the season, Annie Thomas (1-1) tossed two scoreless innings in relief, allowing two hits en route to her first win. Goodfellow, Mack, Poston, and Natalie Tecklenburg each had two hits, while Sharp was 1-for-2 with two runs scored.
Mount Mercy hosts two more Heart of America doubleheaders this weekend. Benedictine (Kan.) comes to town on Saturday, which will also be Senior Day, and then Sunday's matchup features Baker. First pitch is at 1:00 pm each day at Busse Field.