Mustangs runner-up for second straight year

BALDWIN CITY, Kan. - For the third time in three years, the Mount Mercy softball team was in the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship series, playing four games in the past three days to get there. The Mustangs were crowned champions three years ago and have produced back-to-back seasons of runner-up finishes after falling to top-seed and 15th-ranked Central Methodist (Mo.) 14-3 on Sunday afternoon at Cavaness Field. 

Calli Janik's two-run blast to right center field in the first inning, put Mount Mercy in front 2-0. However, that lead didn't last long as Central Methodist answered with a five spot in the bottom of the first and proceeded to score in every inning. In the third inning, it was consecutive singles from Ashley Smith and Natalie Tecklenburg that set up Sam Lee's RBI single through the left side. The Eagles held the Mustangs to their lowest hit total as a team for the entire tournament, with just four.

Noelle Enriquez (3-1) got the start and was relieved by Piper Brant and Megan Steffens as Jayna Witzany got a well deserved break. Witzany pitched 28 innings in the past four days, totaling over 450 pitches, highligted by an incredible 10-inning performace against Baker. Tecklenburg hit safely in all five games of the Heart Tournament, bringing her hitting streak to seven games. Lee and Abbey Smith also did a lot of the heavy lifting for the Mustang offense finishing 5-for-13 and 4-for-13, respectively at the plate. 

Since Central Methodist won both the regular season and conference tournament, Mount Mercy receives the Heart of America's second automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament. This is the second time in past three years and sixth time in the history of Mount Mercy softball that the Mustangs are heading to the NAIA National Tournament.

Mount Mercy now awaits their destination of the Opening Round of the NAIA National Tournament with the Selection Show on Tuesday, May 9 at 4:00 pm. The Opening Round will take place from May 15-17 with a double elimination format. The winner of each of the ten opening round sites will advance to the NAIA Softball World Series in Columbus, Ga. beginning on May 25. For more information about he NAIA National Tournament, please click here.