Mustangs Open Home Slate with Conference-Opening Sweep of Yellowjackets

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Mount Mercy University (7-11, 2-0) showcased its dominance in a doubleheader against Graceland University (5-19, 0-2) on Friday, securing an impressive 11–0 victory in the first game followed by a decisive 10-2 triumph in the second.

GAME ONE

In the opening game, the Mustangs delivered a flawless performance with 10 hits and zero errors. They set the tone early, scoring three runs in the first inning. Mia Petersen drew a walk and crossed home after Calli Janik's double. Janik then scored on an error, with Lilly Wuethrich adding to the lead via a Raegan Ware single, concluding the first inning at 3–0.

Mount Mercy exploded for six runs in the second inning, highlighted by Hannah Wildes' triple and Kendra Mescher's walk, which set up Petersen's RBI single. Abbey Smith followed with another RBI single, complemented by a sacrifice fly from Janik and a Wuethrich double, pushing the score to 9–0.

The Mustangs continued their offensive onslaught in the fourth, as pinch runner McKenzie Kissell scored from Ashley Smith's single, and Megan Harrison added another run with an RBI single, concluding the game at 11–0 after five innings. Ashley Webb excelled on the mound, throwing a complete game shutout with eight strikeouts and allowing only one hit.

Key contributors included Petersen with two runs and a hit, As. Smith with two hits, two RBIs, and two stolen bases, and Janik, who recorded a double and two RBIs. Defensive standout Josie McCuddin recorded five assists at shortstop, while Graceland's McKenna Kelley took the loss after allowing seven runs in two innings.

GAME TWO

In the second game, Mount Mercy's offense remained relentless, racking up 17 hits, including three doubles. They took control in the second inning with As. Smith and Kennedy Daugherty driving in runs with RBI singles, followed by Kendra Mescher's RBI single, extending the lead to 3-0.

The Mustangs added four more runs in the third inning, with Calli Janik's double sparking a rally that included hits from Wuethrich, Ware, and As. Smith, pushing the score to 7-0. In the fourth, As. Smith's single allowed Janik to score, making it 8-0.

Although Graceland managed two runs in the fifth, Mount Mercy quickly responded. Daugherty doubled and scored on Mescher's hit, followed by Janik's RBI single, finalizing the game at 10-2 after five innings.

Janik had a standout performance with four hits, two runs, an RBI, and a double. As. Smith also shined with three hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Daugherty contributed significantly with two runs, three hits, and two RBIs, while Josie McCuddin made her mark with a double and an RBI.

Ava Hahn led the pitching efforts in game two, giving up just one hit and striking out four in three innings. Addie Gralund followed with a scoreless inning, while Maggie McNally struggled in her inning, yielding two runs.

Mount Mercy stands at 7-11 overall and 2-0 in conference play, while Graceland holds a 5-19 record and remains winless in the conference.

Next up, the Mustangs will host MidAmerica Nazarene on Saturday, March 14 at 2 and 4 p.m. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.