Mustangs Use Big Innings to Secure Road Sweep Over Vikings

MARSHALL, Mo. — Mount Mercy University (12-20, 7-7) showcased their dominance in a doubleheader against Missouri Valley College (4-28, 1-13) on Friday, securing a 6–0 victory in the first game followed by a commanding 7–1 win in the second.

GAME ONE

The first game was a nail-biter until the eighth inning, when Mount Mercy unleashed a six-run surge, taking advantage of two critical errors by Missouri Valley. The breakthrough for Mount Mercy came in the eighth when Kennedy Daugherty singled and crossed home on a double by Jade Hynek.

Kendra Mescher followed with a single to bring Hynek in. Calli Janik doubled, pushing Mescher to third, and Ashley Smith's single allowed Mescher to score. Mia Petersen reached on an error, bringing Janik home. Abbey Smith's single and Lilly Wuethrich's sacrifice fly tacked on two more runs, sealing the deal at 6–0.

Ashley Webb was stellar on the mound, pitching a complete game shutout, striking out seven over eight innings. Hynek made her mark offensively with a double and an RBI, going 1-for-3. Mescher contributed two hits, an RBI, and a run. Petersen added two hits and an RBI, boosting the Mustangs' performance.

For the Vikings, Aniah Castruita shone with three hits in as many at-bats, posting a 2.000 OPS. Jesykah Foster chipped in with two solid hits, achieving a 1.000 OPS. Keira Carvalho stood out defensively at third base with six assists, while Andreina Buonafina showed grit on the mound, pitching 7 1/3 innings with four earned runs and a 1.41 WHIP. Taya Brickner added a double in her only hit, contributing to her 1.000 OPS.

Webb's complete-game shutout was pivotal for the Mustangs, as she kept the Vikings scoreless through eight innings, allowing eight hits but issuing no walks.

On the other side, Missouri Valley's Buonafina pitched 7 1/3 innings, conceding 10 hits and four earned runs, with one strikeout. Despite her efforts in inducing groundouts, the Vikings couldn't overcome the six runs allowed. Gabriella Branson briefly appeared for the Vikings, pitching 2/3 innings with a hit and a wild pitch.

GAME TWO

In the second game, Mount Mercy clinched a commanding 7-1 win, thanks to an explosive six-run fourth inning. The Mustangs racked up 10 hits and played error-free, while the Vikings managed just one run on six hits and committed three errors.

Mount Mercy's decisive fourth inning was a standout. Ashley Smith started it off with a single and a steal of second, scoring on an error. Mia Petersen also reached on an error, allowing Smith to cross home. Kennedy Daugherty's single drove in McKenzie Kissell, pinch running for Megan Harrison.

Daugherty then scored on a wild pitch, followed by Jade Hynek's single to center, adding an RBI. Kendra Mescher singled, bringing Hynek home, and Calli Janik doubled to drive in Mescher. By the end of the inning, the Mustangs were up 6-0.

The momentum stayed strong into the fifth. Petersen tripled and came home on a Raegan Ware single, pushing the lead to 7-0. Missouri Valley's lone run came in the seventh when Camryn Dilla doubled and scored on a Keira Carvalho double. Final score: Mount Mercy 7, Missouri Valley 1.

Jade Hynek shone with a hit, an RBI, and a stolen base. Kendra Mescher was solid with two hits and an RBI. Calli Janik's double brought in a run, and she added a stolen base. Mia Petersen scored twice and hit a triple, adding an RBI. Maggie McNally delivered five scoreless innings on the mound, striking out four and allowing just three hits.

For Missouri Valley, Keira Carvalho led the way with an OPS of 2.000, hitting two doubles and driving in a run. Camryn Dilla posted a perfect OPS of 1.000 with her double and a run. Aniah Castruita contributed with an OPS of .667, a hit, and three defensive assists.

Maggie McNally spearheaded Mount Mercy's pitching, going five scoreless innings with three hits and four strikeouts. Addie Gralund provided two innings of relief, giving up one earned run on three hits.

For the Vikings, Chloe Shuff started and pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing five runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk. Sienna Saggiani relieved Shuff, pitching 3 1/3 innings with two earned runs on four hits.

The Mustangs look to continue their momentum when they face Culver-Stockton on Sunday, April 12, at 1 and 3 p.m. in Canton, Missouri.