Mustangs sweep Wildcats, Pirates
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- The Mount Mercy softball team needed to build some momentum as they prepared for an 8-game road trip, and they did just that, sweeping Culver-Stockton and Park this weekend at Busse Field.
Culver-Stockton rolled into town on Friday after a Thursday doubleheader at William Penn. The Wildcats held a 3-0 lead in the fourth, but the Mustangs plated four runs in the bottom of the frame, then held on for a 4-3 win. An RBI single by Payton Bruner (SR/Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and a sacrifice fly by Jess Heick (SR/Solon, Iowa) sandwiched around a 2-run double by Samantha Lee (FR/Long Grove, Iowa) provided the offensive firepower. Jayna Witzany (JR/Cottage Grove, Minn.) recorded 14 strikeouts against two walks while surrendering three earned runs on five hits.
Game two was never in doubt as Mount Mercy totaled 11 hits, led, 5-1 early on, and cruised to a 9-1 victory in five innings. Heick and Emily Oler (SR/Cedar Rapids, Iowa) had three hits and two RBI apiece while Bruner homered and drove in two runs. Oler tossed a 4-hitter with three strikeouts.
Saturday's doubleheader with Park followed a similar pattern. The opener stayed close throughout, with a 2-run fifth inning providing some cushion during a 4-1 Mount Mercy win. Bruner, Heick, and Witzany starred again for the Mustangs. Bruner went 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and Heick was 1-for-3 with two runs batted in. Witzany (9-3) posted double-digit strikeouts again, totaling 13 during a complete-game 4-hitter.
The Mustangs closed out the weekend with a come-from-behind, 8-3 victory. Makenna Moenk (SO/Swisher, Iowa) led the way, going 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and two runs batted in. Heick, Oler, Hannah Mausser (JR/Bettendorf, Iowa), and Audrey Grove (JR/South English, Iowa) had two hits apiece, with Oler and Lee also driving in a pair of runs. Oler (4-0) picked up the win in relief of Kalli Minger (FR/Anamosa, Iowa), who allowed just one hit with four strikeouts in 4-1/3 innings.
Mount Mercy (17-7, 10-6 Heart) opens their road trip on Wednesday, traveling to Dubuque to take on Clarke (9-21, 3-13 Heart) at 5:00 p.m.