Mustangs Deliver First Defeat to Seahawks in Doubleheader Split

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Mount Mercy faced a challenging doubleheader against Keiser, splitting the two games with a narrow 6-5 loss in the first and a commanding 5-2 victory in the second.

GAME ONE

In the first game, Mount Mercy jumped out to an early advantage with a four-run third inning, but Keiser came back with a decisive three-run sixth inning to clinch the win. Mount Mercy's offense ignited in the third inning. Ashley Smith kicked off the rally with a single and a steal, setting the stage for Abbey Smith's RBI double to right field, which brought in the first run.

Raegan Ware then hammered a three-run homer to left field, driving in Ab. Smith and Calli Janik, and giving Mount Mercy a 4-0 lead.

Keiser answered in the fourth with a run scored on an RBI double to left center by Ava Stahl, trimming the lead to 4-1. In the fifth, Keiser continued their pursuit with a two-run homer from Genesis Iglesias, narrowing the gap to 4-3.

Mount Mercy extended their lead to 5-3 in the sixth inning when Mia Petersen's sacrifice fly allowed Lilly Wuethrich to score after her double. However, Keiser seized control in the bottom of the sixth, capitalizing on hits and Mustang errors to score three runs and take a 6-5 lead.

The Mustangs couldn't mount a comeback in the seventh, sealing the final score at Keiser 6, Mount Mercy 5. Raegan Ware made her presence felt with a home run and three RBIs. Lilly Wuethrich contributed two hits, including a double, and scored once. Ab. Smith added a crucial RBI with her double and scored a run.

For the Seahawks, Genesis Iglesias shone with a home run and two RBIs, boasting an OPS of 2.667. Stahl delivered three hits, including a double, two RBIs, and two stolen bases, achieving an OPS of 2.333. Meanwhile, Mackenzie Masternak pitched six innings, allowing five earned runs on six hits, striking out four batters, and maintaining a WHIP of 1.00.

Ashley Webb of the Mustangs pitched five innings, giving up eight hits and six runs, five of which were earned, while striking out seven batters. Webb took the loss, finishing with a WHIP of 2.00.

For the Seahawks, Masternak's robust performance over six innings, giving up six hits and five earned runs, striking out four, secured the win with a WHIP of 1.00. Maggie Miller closed the game with a scoreless inning, earning a save with three groundouts on 12 pitches.

GAME TWO

In the second game, Mount Mercy outplayed Keiser with a decisive 5-2 triumph. Mount Mercy's breakthrough came in the second inning with a game-changing four-run rally. After a quiet first inning, the Mustangs answered Keiser's early lead.

Mia Petersen put the Mustangs on the board with a fielder's choice RBI, and Kennedy Daugherty followed with a crucial three-run homer, flipping the score to 4-2 in favor of Mount Mercy after the second inning.

The Mustangs further solidified their advantage in the fifth. Daugherty's single set the stage, and she crossed the plate thanks to Calli Janik's sacrifice fly, pushing the lead to 5-2. The Mustangs' defense and pitching were steadfast, keeping the Seahawks scoreless for the remainder of the game and sealing the win.

Daugherty was the offensive spark, tallying two runs and three RBIs, including her pivotal home run. Jade Hynek added to the effort with two hits, a run scored, and a stolen base. Ashley Smith also showcased her speed with two stolen bases. Maggie McNally was stellar on the mound, pitching a complete game and allowing just one earned run over seven innings, achieving a win with an impressive WHIP of 0.86.

Faith Campos made her presence felt with a standout OPS of 1.500, collecting two hits, including a triple, and scoring a run. Macy Schaaf also delivered at the plate with an OPS of 1.333, securing two hits in three at-bats. On defense, Sarah Phipps and Maggie Miller were rock solid, each contributing four assists. Kylie White was crucial in the field with two assists and catching one runner stealing out of three attempts.

McNally's complete game performance saw her allow just 4 hits and 2 runs, only 1 of which was earned, cementing her second win of the season.

On the opposing side, Keiser's Prealey Wright suffered the loss, giving up 4 runs on 2 hits over just 1 1/3 innings, including a home run, and ending with a WHIP of 2.73. Miller provided solid relief for Keiser, pitching 5 2/3 innings with 1 earned run on 4 hits and 2 strikeouts, but it wasn't enough to shift the outcome.

With this split, Mount Mercy improved to 4-4, while the Seahawks now stand at 9-1.

Looking ahead, the Mustangs will head to Miami Gardens, Florida, to face St. Thomas on Monday, Feb. 16, at 3 p.m.