Mustangs Split Doubleheader Falling to Cougars, Defeating Saints in Comeback Fashion

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Mount Mercy's softball team opened their weekend of doubleheaders, falling to the Saint Xavier Cougars 11-1 and defeating the Aquinas Saints in a come-from-behind 8-7 victory. 

GAME 1

In game one, the Mustangs would put their first and only run on the board as Sarah Heick would hit an RBI single, scoring Ashley Smith, who was walked in her first at-bat. The Cougars would soon answer back to the Mustangs' early lead, putting up three in the first inning, now leading the Mustangs 3-1. The Cougars were able to cross two more runners in the bottom of the second to extend to a 5-1 lead. 

After a scoreless third and fourth inning, the Cougars would hold the Mustangs in the top of the fifth and then score six runners in the bottom half. Yalitza Lovan would hit a grand slam to seal a Cougar 11-1 victory due to a ten-run limit. 

Mount Mercy's Ashley Webb would be tagged with the loss after giving up 11 runs on eight hits in the four innings pitched. Saint Xavier's Lily Strand took the victory from five innings in the circle and allowed only one Mustang hit and one run. 

GAME 2

Game two saw the Mustangs bouncing back onto the victory train, defeating the Aquinas Saints after a come-from-behind 8-7 victory. 

Aquinas started the game by putting the first runs across the board, crossing four runners to take an early 4-0 lead at the top of the first. The Mustangs would answer back as Sarah Heick would cross Abbey Smith, putting up the first Mustang run of the game.

With the second inning being scoreless, the Saints would put up another run in the top of the third, leading 5-1 in the game. In the bottom half, the Mustangs would put up four runs, starting with Heick's two-RBI single to center field. Alyssa McElvain continued the scoring streak with an RBI double of her own, and Lilly Wuethrich contributed an RBI single, tying the game at 5-5 to close out the third. 

The fourth inning saw the Mustangs holding the Saints from scoring and then putting up two of their runs at the bottom of the inning, with Mia Petersen scoring Kennedy Daughtery on a ground out and Heick hitting an RBI single. With the Mustangs leading 7-5 heading into the fifth, the Saints would put up their final two runs with two RBI singles, tying the game at 7-7. 

After holding the Saints at the top of the sixth, Petersen hit a sacrifice fly that was enough to score Ashley Smith for their final run of the game. The Mustangs would shut down the Saints at the top of the seventh to seal an 8-7 victory. 

Mount Mercy's Maggie McNally took the win for the game after pitching four quality innings, giving up five runs on five hits. McElvain came into the game, striking out four Saints and giving up two runs on five hits.

Sophia Pavese was tabbed with the loss for the Saints, allowing five runs on four Mustangs hits in two innings pitched. 

Mount Mercy (3-5) will be back on the field on Sunday, February 23, for more doubleheader action, facing Saint Xavier at 3:15 p.m. and Saint Ambrose at 5:30 p.m.