Mustangs Claim Back-to-Back Wins Over Bobcats

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Mount Mercy's softball team delivered a series sweep over Peru State on Saturday at Busse Field, claiming game one 7-3 before sealing the sweep with a 9-1 victory in the nightcap.

Game One

The Bobcats jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first as Casidy Sipek singled to right field, driving in two runs for a 2-0 advantage. The Mustangs responded in the bottom of the third with their first run of the game, as Abbey Smith smacked a double to left.

After a scoreless fourth inning and a shutdown frame by the Mustang defense in the top of the fifth, Mount Mercy took control in the bottom half. Sarah Heick tied the game with an RBI double to left, then scored on an Annika Headington single up the middle to give the Mustangs the lead. Raquel Trolliet followed with another RBI single up the middle, extending the lead to 4-2.

Smith delivered a three-run homer to left in the bottom of the sixth to give Mount Mercy a 7-2 cushion. The Bobcats added their final run in the top of the seventh on a Maci Green RBI double.

Ashley Webb earned the win for the Mustangs, tossing a complete game and allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out four.

Sydney Chubbuck took the loss for Peru State, surrendering three runs on four hits.

Game Two

Mount Mercy struck first in game two, as Heick launched a two-run homer in the bottom of the first. The Mustangs added to their lead in the fourth when Mia Petersen legged out a triple to left, scoring Headington. Petersen then scored on a fielder's choice by Kennedy Daughtery to make it 4-0.

After holding the Bobcats scoreless in the top of the fifth, the Mustangs added two more in the bottom half. Calli Janik plated one run and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Heick to stretch the lead to 6-0. Peru State got on the board in the sixth with an RBI single from Ellie Ohlde, cutting the deficit to 6-1.

The Mustangs responded with a three-run sixth inning to put the game away. Petersen scored on a sacrifice fly by Maddie Caylor, Fionna McLeod drove in a run with a single down the right-field line, and Jordan Paulus crossed the plate on a fielder's choice. The game ended in six innings, 9-1, via run rule.

Maggie McNally picked up the win, going six innings and allowing just one run on three hits with four strikeouts.

Sage Issacs took the loss for the Bobcats, giving up six runs on nine hits across five innings despite striking out three.

Mount Mercy (19-19, 9-7 Heart) returns to action on Sunday, April 13, hosting Park at Busse Field. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m.