The Basics
Score 1: MNU 7 – Mount Mercy 2
Score 2: MNU 6 – Mount Mercy 5
Records: MNU (15-7, 3-1), Mount Mercy (7-13, 2-2)
Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa - Himsl Field
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – MNU swept a conference doubleheader against Mount Mercy on Saturday, winning Game 1 by a score of 7-2 before holding on for a 6-5 victory in Game 2.
In Game 1, the Pioneers jumped in front immediately. After Danica Hobbs reached on an error to open the game, Lailah Simmons launched a 2-run home run to left field to give MNU a 2-0 lead.
MNU continued to apply pressure in the 2nd inning when Senne Imel doubled and later scored on an RBI single from Dakoda Hobbs to extend the lead to 3-0. The Pioneers added another run in the 3rd as Tuscani Ritter drove in Andi Clements with an RBI single.
The offense kept producing in the middle innings. Andi Clements doubled home a run in the 4th inning, and Simmons delivered again in the 5th with an RBI single that pushed the advantage to 6-1. MNU added an insurance run in the 7th on a sacrifice fly by Clements.
Mandy Brown controlled the game in the circle, allowing just 5 hits while striking out 9 in a complete-game effort to secure the 7-2 victory.
Game 1 Turning Point
Simmons' two-run home run in the 1st inning gave MNU an early lead that the Pioneers never relinquished.
Game 1 Individual Leaders
Mandy Brown struck out 9 in a complete-game victory. And Danica Hobbs (0-3, 2 R, BB, Sac), Brie Manwarren (1-3, R, 2 BB, SB), Lailah Simmons (3-4, R, HR, 3 RBI, BB), Andi Clements (2-3, R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB, SF), Senne Imel (2-3, R, 2B, BB), Tuscani Ritter (2-4, 2B, RBI), Dakoda Hobbs (2-3, R, RBI, BB)Â led the offense.
In Game 2, Mount Mercy struck first with 3 runs in the opening inning, but the Pioneers answered quickly.
MNU rallied in the 2nd inning with 4 runs to take the lead. Danica Hobbs drove in a run with a single, Lailah Simmons drew a bases-loaded walk, and Molly Nicas delivered a 2-run single to put the Pioneers ahead 4-3.
The Pioneers added another run in the 3rd inning when Hobbs delivered another RBI single to score Senne Imel and extend the lead to 5-3. Nicas later added an RBI single in the 6th inning to make it 6-3.
Mount Mercy responded with 2 runs in the bottom of the 6th to cut the lead to 1, but Mandy Brown entered in relief and closed out the game to earn the save and secure the 6-5 victory for MNU.
Game 2 Turning Point
MNU's four-run rally in the 2nd inning erased an early deficit and gave the Pioneers control of the game.
Game 2 Individual Leaders
Grace Berlage earned the win with 2 strikeouts in 2 innings of relief. Mandy Brown recorded a 4-out save. And Danica Hobbs (3-4, R, 2 RBI), Brie Manwarren (2-4, R, 2B), Lailah Simmons (1-2, RBI, 2 BB), Molly Nicas (2-4, 3 RBI), Senne Imel (1-2, 2 R, 2B, 2 BB), and Dakoda Hobbs (2-3, R, 2B, BB) had big games at the plate.
Up Next
The next double header is Tuesday at St. Mary at 2:00/4:00.
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