Eagles take two from Mustangs

FAYETTE, Mo. -- Eleventh-ranked Central Methodist pushed across a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to edge Mount Mercy in the opener, 1-0, then used a five-run third to defeat the Mustangs, 8-0, in five innings in game two of Saturday's Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader.

Two of the Heart's top pitchers squared off in game one, and the matchup didn't disappoint. The game was scoreless through seven as Jayna Witzany (14-2) and Keighlan Cronin (13-1) held both offenses in check. But the Eagles came through in the eighth when Madison Love's RBI single scored Kelli Gorman with the game-winner.

Witzany scattered eight hits with eight strikeouts and four walks for the Mustangs. Cronin finished with 10 strikeouts and one base on balls while surrendering just three hits in eight innings. A double by Tecklenburg and singles by Jade Sharp and Makenna Moenk were all the offense Mount Mercy could muster.

The Mustangs' struggles continued in game two as Mykala Johnico limited Mount Mercy to one hit, a single by Sharp, in another shutout victory by the Eagles (27-4, 19-1 Heart). Kalli Minger (9-7) took the loss, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits with a strikeout and two walks in 3-2/3 innings.

Mount Mercy (24-13, 17-5 Heart), which saw a nine-game winning streak come to an end, can get back on track on Monday. The Mustangs host Graceland in their regular-season home finale at 4:00 pm at Busse Field in Cedar Rapids.