Mustangs Drop Tournament Opener to Pirates

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Mount Mercy's softball team fell to third-seeded Park, 7–3, in the opening round of the Heart of America Athletic Conference Softball Tournament on Thursday at Busse Field.

The sixth-seeded Mustangs gave up three runs in the bottom of the first as the Pirates took an early lead. Chloe Gilbert opened the scoring with a two-run double to right center, plating Halle Magee and Gracie Ramsey. Dani Klein McAlister followed with an RBI single to right, scoring Gilbert to make it 3–0 after one inning.

Park extended the lead in the fourth when Gilbert launched a solo home run to left center. Emma James added an RBI single later in the inning, pushing the Pirates' advantage to 5–0.

The Mustangs answered in the top of the fifth with a three-run rally. Abbey Smith put the Mustangs on the board with an RBI single that brought in Rylee Goodfellow. A fielder's choice off the bat of Sarah Heick, followed by a throwing error from the Pirates' shortstop, allowed Ashley Smith to score.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Mia Petersen drew a walk to force in Abbey Smith and cut the deficit to 5–3.

The Pirates responded in the bottom of the fifth as Shelby Sanders hit a solo homer. McAlister came around to score the final run on an RBI double to left by Faith Tessman, sealing the 7–3 win for the Pirates.

Maggie McNally took the loss for the Mustangs, allowing four runs on four hits and striking out three over three innings. Alyssa McElvain pitched 1.2 innings in relief, giving up three runs on four hits, and Ashley Webb closed with 1.1 shutout innings and two strikeouts.

Lauren Fiene earned the win for the Pirates, allowing three runs on five hits in 4.2 innings. Myel White recorded one out in relief, while Hanna Vaught pitched two scoreless innings to finish the game.

Mount Mercy will face seventh-seeded William Penn in an elimination game on Friday, May 2, with first pitch set for 9:30 a.m.