[Softball] Mustangs Split Home Conference Doubleheader Versus Wildcats

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – On Sunday, the Mustangs hosted a conference doubleheader at home against the Wildcats of Culver-Stockton College. Game one ended with Tawny Menster (SR/Olin, Iowa) blasting a walk-off grand slam over left field fence for a 9-5 win, but the Mustangs ran out of steam in game two falling 4-9. The Mustangs move to 11-7 overall and 4-2 in the Heart of America Conference.

In game one, the Mustangs jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead after a RBI single by Jolona Shield (SR/Lawrence, Kan.) in the first followed by a RBI triple by Emily Oler (SO/Cedar Rapids, Iowa) and RBI single by Morgan Braughton (SO/Marion, Iowa) in the bottom of the second. The Mustangs held the Wildcats scoreless through three innings before the score was knotted by one swing of the bat. After a bases-clearing double, the score was tied 3-3. In the bottom of the fifth, Payton Bruner (JR/Cedar Rapids, Iowa) scored on a fielder's choice by Shield to give the Mustangs the go-ahead run. Shortly after, the Mustangs found themselves down once again after the Wildcats produced a solo homerun and RBI sacrifice bunt squeeze in the sixth. Unable to produce in the bottom half of the inning, the Mustangs held the Wildcat's scoreless in the seventh for one last shot at victory. After an error, walk, RBI double by Jess Heick (SO/Solon, Iowa), and an intentional walk, Menster found herself at the plate with the scoreboard reading 5-5. The senior powerhouse produced a grand-slam as the Mustangs won in walk-off fashion. Offensively, the Mustangs were led by Menster going 2-for-4 with four RBI, including a grand slam, Shield going 1-for-3 with two RBI, Braughton went 2-for-3 at the plate with a RBI, Jess Heick going 2-for-3, including a double, with a RBI, and Oler going 1-for-3, including a triple with a RBI. Menster got the start on the mound pitching five complete innings allowing four runs on just two hits while walking and striking out four. Jayna Witzany (FR/Cottage Grove, Minn.) came in to relieve the last two innings and received the winning decision after allowing one run on one hit.

In game two, the Mustangs raced out of the gates yet again scoring in the bottom of the first off a RBI single by Shield. However, that would not be enough as the Wildcats accumulated six runs in the third inning. After giving another run up in the top half of the fifth, the Mustangs scored three in the latter half of the inning. Tacking on security runs with two in the top of the seventh, the Wildcats would prevail in the game two to force a conference doubleheader split with the Mustangs. Offensive leaders in game were Shield going 2-for-4, including a double, with two RBI and Oler going 1-for-3 with one RBI. The start and decision would go to Madelyn Irwin (JR/Orange Park, Fla.) pitching 2.2 innings allowing six runs, two earned, on six hits with one walk. Witzany would come in to relieve once again pitching 4.1 innings allowing three runs on nine hits while walking two and sitting down six.
 
Up next, the Mustangs continue Heart of America Conference play on the road Tuesday, April 2 at William Penn before hosting Clarke University on Wednesday, April 3, Missouri Valley on Saturday, April 6, and (RV) Central Methodist University on Sunday, April 7 at Busse Field.