(Peru, Neb.) – The Mount Mercy softball team swept a double header with close wins over Peru State in each game on Saturday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Mustangs won 6-5 and 5-3 over the visiting Bobcats.

With the wins, Mount Mercy improved to 24-18 overall and more importantly 15-13 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) North Division. Peru State fell to 7-35 on the season and are 6-26 in the Heart North. The 'Cats had their hopes dashed of making the conference postseason tournament with the losses.
 
First Game Action
 
The Mustangs scored first by plating a run in the bottom of the second inning.
 
Peru State would come back to tie it in the top of the third. After an out, Morgan Ritchie (Lincoln) homered over the left field fence on a 0-1 count to knot the game at 1-1.
 
Mount Mercy would quickly regain the lead by scoring two in the bottom of the third and then added two more in the bottom of the fourth to make it 5-1.
 
In the top of the sixth, Takia Walker (Enterprise, Ala.) singled through the hole at second base, but was forced out when Jordynn Jimenez (Delano Beach, Calif.) reached on a fielder's choice. Tyler Farrell (Brandon, Fla.) reached on a single with Jimenez stopping at second. Ally Hazen (North Platte) singled to left-center to score Jimenez with Farrell moving to third. Alyiah Franco (Syracuse, Utah) would single to right-center to drive in Farrell to put the score at 5-3 at that point.
 
The Mustangs would get a run back in the bottom of the sixth to extend their lead to 6-3.
 
Peru State would try to tie the game in the top of the seventh. Ritchie singled to third to start the inning. On the second out, Ritchie would move to second and later would go to third with Jimenez singled to the third base side. Payton Beckmann (Syracuse) doubled to deep right-center to bring in both base runners. Unfortunately, the 'Cats could not score anymore and lost 6-5.
 
Mount Mercy scored their six runs on 12 hits and did not commit any errors. Peru State scored their five runs on nine hits and also did not have any errors.
 
Franco and Ritchie each were credited with two hits. Beckmann had two RBI while Hazen, Franco, and Ritchie each had one RBI.
 
Alana Krieser (Lincoln) started the game and threw four innings while being tagged for the loss. Krieser gave up ten hits and five earned runs. Taylor Moya (Keenesburg, Colo.) tossed one inning and gave up two hits. Bailey Bitz (Ravenna) threw the final inning and allowed just one hit.

MT MERCY GM ONE GAME BOOK
 
Second Game Action
 
Mount Mercy scored one in the bottom of the first to take an early lead.
 
Peru State did all of its scoring in the top of the third inning. Ritchie singled to the infield to start the inning. After an out, Walker singled to shallow left-center with Ritchie stopping at second. Jimenez was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Beckmann hit a sacrifice fly to score Ritchie and then Farrell doubled to deep left to drive in Walker and Jimenez to give the Bobcats at 3-1 lead at that point.
 
The Mustangs would take the lead in the bottom of the fifth with three runs and then added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth for the eventual 5-3 win.
 
Mount Mercy scored their five runs on eight hits and did not have any errors. Peru State scored their three runs on seven errors and also did not have any miscues.
 
Jimenez led the team with two hits. Farrell had two RBI with Beckmann credited with the other.
 
Ritchie suffered the loss after throwing 5.2 innings. She allowed 8 hits, 5 earned runs, and struck out 3. Moya threw the final out.

MT MERCY GM TWO GAME BOOK
 
Upcoming Contests
 
Peru State will play a non-conference double header on Wednesday before finishing the season at home with a pair of conference foes.
 
The Bobcats will be in Sioux City, Iowa, to face Morningside on Wednesday at 3 p.m. The Mustangs are 21-8 on the season.
 
On Friday, April 26, Benedictine (Kan.) will be the foe for a double header beginning at 1 p.m. The Ravens are 23-21 overall and 15-13 in the Heart South.
 
Mount Mercy will be the final opponent for the 2019 campaign on Sunday at 1 p.m.