Smiths Shine as Mustangs Split with Missouri Baptist

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Mount Mercy University (16-22, 11-9) experienced a split in their doubleheader against Missouri Baptist University (33-8, 19-3), winning the first game 11-9 before falling in the second game 11-2.

Game One

Mount Mercy secured a close victory over Missouri Baptist with an 11–9 win. The Mustangs' offense collected 14 hits, including a home run, to overcome the Spartans' late-game efforts.

The first inning saw Mount Mercy take an early lead. After Calli Janik walked and Ashley Smith singled, Abbey Smith hit a three-run homer to center field, bringing in Janik and As. Smith. The Mustangs led 3–0 after the first inning.

In the second inning, Kennedy Daugherty's single and subsequent steal set the stage for additional runs. Jade Hynek and Kendra Mescher loaded the bases, leading to Janik's walk, which scored Daugherty. As. Smith then singled up the middle, driving in Hynek and Mescher. The Mustangs increased their lead to 6–1 by the end of the second inning.

The third inning featured another offensive push from Mount Mercy. Lilly Wuethrich's double and subsequent advance on a wild pitch were followed by a series of singles from Harrison and Daugherty. Mescher's sacrifice fly scored Wuethrich, and As. Smith's two-RBI single extended the lead. The Mustangs led 9–5 after three innings.

Missouri Baptist rallied in the fifth inning with four runs, including a three-run homer by Camryn Kessler. However, Mount Mercy responded in the bottom half with two runs of its own. Daugherty walked and scored on Janik's double, while Mescher scored on Ab. Smith's single, maintaining the lead at 11–9.

The final innings were scoreless as Mount Mercy's defense held firm, securing the victory. 

As. Smith finished with three hits and four RBIs, driving in a significant portion of the team's scoring. Ab. Smith recorded two hits, including a home run, and matched Ashley in RBIs with four. Janik contributed offensively with two hits and two RBIs, also drawing two walks. Daugherty was active on the base paths, scoring three runs and adding two hits in the game.

Kessler led the Spartans with a standout performance, collecting two hits, including a home run, and driving in three runs. She also scored twice, demonstrating her impact on the game. Jacie Dees contributed significantly, scoring two runs and securing two hits, one of which was a double, while also stealing a base.

Alohilani Bursey made her presence felt with two hits, a double, an RBI, and a stolen base. Brooklynn Fischer, despite a challenging outing in the circle, recorded a hit and an RBI while pitching three innings.

Ashley Webb pitched a complete game for the Mustangs, recording 7 innings with 4 strikeouts and allowing 8 earned runs on 11 hits, securing her seventh win of the season.

On the other side, the Spartans' Fischer threw for 3 innings, allowing 6 earned runs on 7 hits and striking out 1 batter. The disparity in innings pitched and earned runs highlighted the challenges faced by Fischer, while Webb's endurance was pivotal for the Mustangs' performance.

Game Two

Mount Mercy fell to Missouri Baptist with a final score of 11-2 on Friday. The Mustangs recorded four hits, including two doubles, during the game.

Missouri Baptist started strong in the first inning, scoring four runs. Alexi Sanchez walked with the bases loaded, bringing home Makayla Johnson. Brooklynn Fischer and Miranda Ladson also scored, aided by a sacrifice fly and a wild pitch. The inning concluded with the Spartans leading 4-0.

In the second inning, Missouri Baptist extended its lead with a solo home run from Johnson and an RBI single by Allison Leigraf, making it 6-0.

Mount Mercy responded in the fourth inning. Abbey Smith and Mia Petersen walked, setting the stage for Raegan Ware, who hit a double to drive in both runners. This reduced the deficit to 6-2.

The Spartans added two more runs in the fifth inning. Johnson hit a double, allowing Kaylie Brake and pinch runner Madison Leckrone to score. The inning ended with Missouri Baptist ahead 8-2.

In the sixth inning, Leigraf hit a three-run homer, increasing Missouri Baptist's lead to 11-2.

Ware led the Mustangs with two hits and drove in two runs, including a double. Megan Harrison came off the bench to contribute a double and a hit. Smith scored a run and drew a walk, adding to the team's offensive efforts. Petersen also crossed home plate once and drew a walk.

Johnson stood out with an impressive performance, tallying two runs, two hits, and three RBIs, including a home run and a double. Leigraf contributed significantly with five RBIs and a home run. Sanchez made an impact on the bases with two stolen bases and scored twice, despite not recording a hit. Brake pitched a complete game, allowing only four hits while striking out one, securing her 20th win of the season. Ladson also made her mark by scoring three runs and adding a double to her stat line.

Mount Mercy's pitching was led by Ava Hahn, who threw 3 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits with one home run while striking out two. Maggie McNally started the game but struggled, recording only 2/3 of an inning while conceding four earned runs on one hit and five walks, taking the loss to bring her record to 6-7. Addie Gralund pitched two innings in relief, giving up five earned runs on five hits, including a home run, with three walks.

The Spartans' Brake delivered a complete game performance, pitching six innings with two earned runs allowed on four hits, securing the win to improve her record to 20-3. Brake's control was tested with five walks, but she managed to hold the Mustangs to just two runs, adding one strikeout in her effort.

The Mustangs have a record of 16-22 and 11-9 in the conference. The Spartans have a record of 33-8 and 19-3 in the conference.

Looking ahead, Mount Mercy is set to host William Woods on Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.