Mustangs Edge Cougars, Fall to Storm in Weekend Doubleheader

DAVENPORT, Iowa - The Mount Mercy softball team split their weekend doubleheader by beating Cleary, 7-5, before falling to Simpson, 4-1.

Game 1

Mount Mercy secured a thrilling 7-5 win over the Cleary Cougars in game one, rallying with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Calli Janik sealed the victory with a clutch two-run homer.

After two scoreless innings, the Mustangs struck first when Abbey Smith advanced around the bases and scored on an Ashley Smith single to center field. The Cougars responded in the top of the fourth, plating two runners to take a 2-1 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, Sarah Heick drove in Calli Janik to even the score at 2-2.

Cleary regained the lead in the sixth when Maddie Bunkoske launched a solo home run, making it 3-2. However, Mount Mercy answered right back, as Sarah Heick sent one over the fence to tie the game at 3-3.

With the game tied heading into the seventh, the Cougars pushed two more runs across the plate to take a 5-3 lead. But the Mustangs refused to back down. A two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh tied the game 5-5, before Calli Janik crushed a game-winning, two-run homer to complete the comeback and give Mount Mercy the 7-5 victory.

Alyssa McElvain pitched 6.2 innings for the Mustangs, allowing five runs on nine Cougar hits. Ashley Webb entered in relief, shutting down the Cleary offense in the seventh to earn her first win.

Cleary's Halle Dargie took the loss, pitching 6.2 innings and surrendering seven runs on nine Mustang hits.

Game 2

In the second game of the doubleheader, Mount Mercy fell to the Simpson Storm, 4-1.

After three scoreless innings, the Mustangs struck first in the top of the fourth when Sarah Heick scored on a single by Lilly Wuethrich. However, Simpson responded in the bottom half of the inning, breaking the game open with a bases-loaded double to center field, bringing in three runs for a 3-1 lead.

The Storm added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth to extend their lead to 4-1. Mount Mercy was unable to rally in the seventh, securing the win for Simpson.

Mustangs' pitcher Maggie McNally took the loss, throwing 3.2 innings while allowing three runs on five hits. Simpson's K. Tucker earned the win, pitching four innings and surrendering just one run on four hits.

Mount Mercy (2-4) returns to action on February 22nd for another doubleheader, facing Saint Xavier at 1:00 p.m. and Aquinas at 3:15 p.m.