Mustangs Rally Late in Game Two but Drop Doubleheader to Pioneers

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — In a Saturday doubleheader at Busse Field, Mount Mercy University (7-13, 2-2) faced off against MidAmerica Nazarene University (15-7, 3-1), suffering a defeat in both games. The Mustangs fell 7–2 in the first game and were narrowly edged out 6–5 in the second.

GAME ONE

Mount Mercy fought hard, notching two triples, but couldn't keep up with the Pioneers' relentless pace. MidAmerica Nazarene's Lailah Simmons set the tone early, blasting a two-run homer to left field in the first inning, bringing Danica Hobbs home after she reached on an error. The Pioneers jumped to an early 2–0 lead.

The Mustangs responded in the second inning with Ashley Smith hitting a triple to left field, allowing pinch runner McKenzie Kissell to score after being hit by a pitch. However, the Pioneers added another run, maintaining a 3–1 edge by the end of the inning. The third inning saw MidAmerica Nazarene widen the gap as Tuscani Ritter's RBI single drove in Andi Clements, pushing the score to 4–1.

In the fifth, the Mustangs' Mia Petersen singled and scored thanks to Calli Janik's hit, which advanced her to third on an error. Yet, the Pioneers matched that, leaving the score at 6–2. MidAmerica wrapped up their scoring in the seventh with Clements' sacrifice fly, bringing Hobbs across the plate, ending the game at 7–2.

Petersen had two hits and a run, while Smith's two triples and RBI highlighted her impact at the plate. Janik contributed with an RBI and a hit, and Kendra Mescher excelled defensively with four assists from shortstop.

For the Pioneers, Simmons was a powerhouse, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a home run, boasting an impressive 2.300 OPS. Mandy Brown pitched a complete game with nine strikeouts, only allowing two earned runs over 7 innings, improving her record to 9-1.

GAME TWO

In a nail-biting contest, Mount Mercy jumped out to an early 3–0 lead in the first inning. Mia Petersen and Abbey Smith walked to set the stage for Calli Janik's double that brought them both home. Ashley Smith then singled, driving in Janik to cap off a strong start.

However, MidAmerica Nazarene answered back in the second inning with four runs, sparked by Elayna Goff's single and stolen base, leading to Danica Hobbs's RBI single. The Pioneers took a 4–3 lead by the end of the inning and extended their lead in the third with another RBI single from Hobbs, pushing the score to 5–3.

Both teams went scoreless in the fourth and fifth innings. In the sixth, MidAmerica added another run, while Mount Mercy responded with two. Petersen doubled and scored on Ab. Smith's single, followed by Janik's second double of the day, bringing Ab. Smith across the plate. Still, the Pioneers held onto a 6–5 lead by the inning's end, and the Mustangs couldn't muster a comeback in the seventh.

Janik was a standout for Mount Mercy, recording three RBIs with two doubles and two hits. Petersen made her mark by scoring twice and adding a double, while Ab. Smith crossed home plate twice and drove in a run.

For the Pioneers, Hobbs had three hits and two RBIs, while Molly Nicas contributed with three RBIs, including a key two-out RBI. Grace Berlage pitched two innings for the win, and Mandy Brown earned the save with 1 1/3 scoreless innings.

Mount Mercy now stands at 7-13 overall and 2-2 in conference play, while MidAmerica Nazarene improves to 15-7 with a 3-1 conference record.

Looking ahead, the Mustangs aim to bounce back as they host St. Ambrose at Busse Field on Wed. March 18, with the doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.