Lee, Witzany propel Mustangs to Heart Semifinals

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. - In a marathon, two hour and 55 minute game, third-seed Mount Mercy prevailed over second-seed and seventh-ranked Baker, 3-2, at Cavaness Field on Friday night in the second round of the Heart of America Athletic Championship. 

The Mustangs set the tone right off the bat as Makenna Moenk scored in the first inning on an RBI groundout from Calli Janik. Mount Mercy threatened again in the third with the bases loaded after consecutive hits from Abbey Smith and Natalie Tecklenburg followed by a Sam Lee walk, but the Mustangs couldn't convert. Baker leveled the game at 1-1 in the bottom half after stealing third and advancing home on a Mount Mercy error. 

After a scoreless fourth, it was Smith again with the lead-off single to right field. She later scored from second on Lee's RBI single to left as the Mustangs retook the lead, 2-1. For the second time, the Wildcats scored by stealing third and advancing to home on a wild throw from Mount Mercy, tying it at two apiece. 

Mount Mercy recorded hits in both the six and seventh innings, but couldn't push any runs across the plate forcing extra innings. Starting pitchers, Jayna Witzany and Skyler Gorrell, both produced 1-2-3 innings in the eighth. In the following inning, the Mustangs and Wildcats each had runners in scoring position, but both Witzany and Gorrell stranded them all. 

Lee led off the 10th with a double to left center and advanced to third a batter later. She scored on a wild pitch, diving head first into home to put Mount Mercy up 3-2. Witzany retired the first two batters before giving up a double to keep Baker's hopes alive. The next Wildcat struck out to end the game, giving Witzany 20th win of the season. Lee finished 3-for-4 with a double, walk, RBI, and the game-winning run. Smith tallied two hits and scored a run as well. Witzany pitched all ten innings, scattering seven hits and walking one while striking out 12 in the complete game performance.

Mount Mercy (31-16) advances to the Heart Tournament semifinals tomorrow, Saturday, May 6, at noon. They will play top seed and and 15-ranked Central Methodist (Mo.) (36-10) with a chance to move onto the championship series on Sunday.