Mustangs Walk Off in Game Two to Split Series with Pirates

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Mount Mercy's softball team split its doubleheader with Park on Sunday, falling in game one, 6-4, before securing a 5-4 walk-off win in game two.

Game One

Park jumped to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, as Halle Magee grounded out to shortstop, allowing Caroline Riffer to score. The Pirates struck again in the second, with Emma Reed hitting a single to center field that scored two more runners.

Down 3-0, the Mustangs plated their first run of the game with a single up the middle by Raquel Trolliet.

Chloe Gilbert extended the Pirates' lead in the third with a double to left-center. The sixth inning featured the most action, starting with the Pirates scoring twice. Reed stole second, drawing a throwing error by the Mustangs that allowed Caroline Ray to score. Gracie Ramsay added another run with a single, giving Park a 6-1 lead.

In the bottom half, Lilly Wuethrich started the Mustangs' rally with a triple to right-center that scored one run. Trolliet added her second RBI with another single up the middle. Calli Janik brought in the final run of the inning after being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. A pop-up to second ended the Mustangs' rally in the sixth. Park held Mount Mercy scoreless in the seventh to secure the 6-4 win.

Alyssa McElvain took the loss for the Mustangs after pitching a complete game, allowing six runs on 10 hits.

Hanna Vaught earned the win for the Pirates, pitching 5.1 innings and allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out four. Lauren Fiene notched the save with 1.2 shutout innings in relief.

Game Two

The Mustangs flipped the script in Game 2, scoring the first runs as Sarah Heick launched a two-run homer to left field in the first inning.

The Pirates answered in the third, putting up three runs. Shelby Sanders hit a two-run single, and Dani Klein McAlister followed with an RBI double to left, giving Park a 3-2 lead.

Park extended its lead to 4-2 in the fifth when Magee singled to left, scoring Ramsay. Mount Mercy tied it in the sixth, as Trolliet reached on a fielder's choice, allowing two runners to score.

After holding Park in the top of the seventh, the Mustangs recorded two quick outs before getting two runners on base. Heick delivered the game-winning hit with a walk-off single to score Abbey Smith and give Mount Mercy the 5-4 victory.

Ashley Webb earned the win in relief, pitching three shutout innings while allowing three hits and striking out three. Maggie McNally started the game for the Mustangs, pitching four innings and allowing four runs on five hits with four strikeouts.

Myel White was tagged with the loss for the Pirates, pitching 1.2 innings and allowing two runs on four hits. Fiene made her second appearance of the day, starting and going five innings while allowing three runs on four hits with six strikeouts.

Mount Mercy (20-20, 10-8 Heart) returns to action Friday, April 18, traveling to Olathe, Kan., to take on MidAmerica Nazarene. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.