Mustangs Clip V-Hawks’ Wings with 15-Run Outburst in Series Sweep

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Mount Mercy's softball team delivered a dominant performance, sweeping the Viterbo V-Hawks with a 7-2 victory in game one before erupting for an 18-3 rout in the nightcap.

GAME ONE

The Mustangs dominated the opening game of the doubleheader with a 7-2 victory after rallying in the sixth and seventh innings.

The V-Hawks kicked the scoring off in the bottom of the first as Alexis Watson hit a sacrifice fly to center that game Makayla Nortman enough time to cross home. After a scoreless second, Mia Petersen tied it up with an RBI single. 

As the next two innings remained scoreless, the sixth inning had the Mustangs taking a 3-1 lead as Kendra Mescher smacked a double that brought in a run, followed by Rylee Goodfellow snagging an RBI single. The Mustangs continued their scoring streak in the seventh, putting up four more runs.

Raquel Trolliet reached first on a fielder's choice that scored Sarah Heick with Kendra Mescher also bringing in a run with an RBI single. Kennedy Daugherty brought in two with a double. The V-Hawks plated their final run of the game on a Marissa Carter-Olson solo home run. 

Mount Mercy's Ashley Webb earned the win, pitching a complete game, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out seven.

Viterbo's Madyson Schultz was the starting pitcher for the V-Hawks, pitching six innings and giving up three runs to eight Mustang hits. Ava Keicher contributed to one inning from the circle while giving up four runs on four hits. 

GAME TWO

In game two of the doubleheader, the Mustangs' bats became hot, putting up 15 runs in the sixth inning alone to seal their 18-3 win over the V-Hawks. 

The V-Hawks jumped ahead early, taking a 2-0 lead after Nortman scored on a passed ball, followed by Megan Jardine's single that scored Makayla Madrid. Forwarding to the fourth inning, the Mustangs took the lead as Ellie Stember reached on an error committed by the V-Hawk defense that scored the Mustangs' first run of the game.

Petersen contributed to the scoring streak, also with an RBI single, followed by Calli Janik hitting into a fielder's choice that scored one for a 3-2 lead. 

In the sixth inning, the Mustang bats were on fire as they plated 15 runs, scoring 12 before the V-Hawks were able to record their first out of the inning. Opening the scoring for the Mustangs was Janik and Heick, each hitting a single that brought in a run, trailed by Annika Headington going long for a triple that scored two.

After a pitching change for the V-Hawks, Abbey Smith reached on an error committed by the shortstop that was enough time for Headington to score. 

With bases loaded, Megan Harrison and Fionna McLeod each drew a walk that brought in two runs. Addi Petersen continued the Mustang's scoring streak by reaching on a fielder's choice that scored Stember. After Janik got walked and Heick hit a single that brought in three runs, the V-Hawks secured their first and second outs of the inning. 

Maggie Caylor smacked a triple that brought in two base runners, putting the Mustangs up 14-2. Stember secured the final run for the Mustangs with a single that brought Caylor home for a score of 15-2. The V-Hawks' Chelsie Paulsen hit an RBI double that was not enough to keep them in the game as the Mustangs shut down for a 15-3 victory. 

Mount Mercy's Maggie McNally claimed another win with four strong innings from the mound, allowing only two runs on three hits. Alyssa McElvain contributed to a strong Mustang defense, going two innings for the Mustangs that allowed one run on two hits. 

Viterbo's Alexis Watson was tagged with the loss, giving up three runs on four hits during four innings in the circle. 

Mount Mercy (11-15, 1-3 HEART) is back at home on Friday, March 28, as they host Central Methodist to Busse Field for a conference doubleheader starting at 2:00 p.m.