Mustangs score early and often to open tournament play

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. - After a lightening delay pushed back the Mustang softball team's start time by almost three hours, third-seed Mount Mercy quickly got on the board, defeating sixth-seed Evangel, 6-2, at Cavaness Field in the opening round of the Heart of America Athletic Championship on Thursday evening. 

All nine Mustangs batted in the second inning, leading to a three-run affair capped off by Makenna Moenk's RBI single. Calli Janik started the third with a leadoff double, Keily Ulatowski followed with a walk, and Rylee Goodfellow singled up the middle to load the bases for the second straight inning. Jade Sharp and Natalie Tecklenburg recorded RBI's making it 5-0 in favor of Mount Mercy. Consecutive walks from Sam Lee and Raquel Trolliet set up Ulatowski for an RBI single the following inning. 

Evangel had four hits through four, and used a three-hit fifth to push two runs across the plate. The Valor's nine hits off Jayna Witzany are the most she has allowed all season. Despite the hits, Witzany (19-6) buckled down when Evangel threatened, striking out seven and walking none in a complete game performance. Her defense also stepped up, committing zero errors compared to the Valor three. Ulatowski finished 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk, an RBI, and two runs scored as Sharp drove in two. 

The Mustangs have now reached 30 wins in five straight seasons, not counting COVID. Mount Mercy (30-16) advances in bracket play and will play second-seed Baker (42-7) tomorrow, Friday, May 5 at 3:45 pm. Due to weather, there is an update to the Heart Tournament bracket, click here to view new schedule.