Witzany, Tecklenburg lift Mustangs to sweep

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - After having their last four games cancelled due to rain or cold weather, the Mount Mercy softball team was finally able to play their home opener Tuesday afternoon. The Mustangs defeated Iowa Wesleyan 8-0 in five innings and then again 9-6 at Busse Field.

Jayna Witzany pitched a five-inning, no-hit, gem, collecting all 15 outs on her own via strikeout, while allowing one walk in just 80 total pitches. Witzany (7-3) got plenty of run support as Mount Mercy scored in the first three innings. Makenna Moenk set the pace, with a double to left center in the first. Two batters later, Keily Ulatowski blasted her first home run for the 2-0 lead. The Mustangs added two more in the second highlighted by Abbey Smith's RBI triple followed by Natalie Tecklenburg's RBI double. Ulatowski, Raquel Trolliet, Sam Lee, Rylee Goodfellow, and Ab. Smith strung together five hits in a row to put the run-rule into effect by scoring four in the third. Mount Mercy tallied 10 hits, two off the bat of Ulatowski and Lee. That pair plus Ab. Smith each recorded two RBI. 

In game two, the Mustangs had to play from behind as the Tigers put up a five-spot in the second and forced starting pitcher, Kalli Minger out of the game. Iowa Wesleyan's Haiden Molter kept the Mount Mercy hitters quiet, allowing just two hits through four innings of work. The Mustangs got some momentum going in the fifth after a two-out walk from Ashley Smith. Back-to-back hits from Tecklenburg and Moenk cut the deficit in half, 6-3. Four scoreless innings from Noelle Enriquez and two from Piper Brant set up Mount Mercy's come-from-behind rally in the sixth.

The Mustangs erupted for six runs to take the lead. Ulatowski drew a lead-off hit by pitch and later scored on Calli Janik's double. Mount Mercy capitalized on an Iowa Wesleyan (4-15) error which plated two and tied the game, 6-6. With two runners on, Tecklenburg hit a bomb to straight-away center, putting the Mustangs in front for the first time all game. The home run proved to be the walk-off as Brant (1-0) earned her first win of the season after shutting the Tigers down in order in the seventh. Tecklenburg had a great day at the plate, finishing 3-for-3 with four RBI and three runs scored to lead Mount Mercy (11-8). Moenk added two runs and Goodfellow totaled two RBI as well. 

Mount Mercy begins Heart of America Athletic Conference play this weekend as Missouri Valley (10-8, 0-0 Heart) and 20th-ranked Central Methodist (Mo.) (11-5, 0-0 Heart) come to town for doubleheaders. Saturday's games begin at 11:00 am and Sunday's at 1:00 pm at Busse Field.