Mount Vernon grabs a Wamac East title share — at least

MANCHESTER — The postseason is the ultimate focus, of course.

But this is a nice warmup gift.

Bailey Sullivan cut down the tying run with a strike from left field in the first game, then hit the game-deciding home run in the nightcap as Class 3A sixth-ranked Mount Vernon swept No. 13 West Delaware, 4-2 and 1-0, in a Wamac Conference East Division softball doubleheader Monday night at Sill Field.

'The main goal is to be at our best at the end of the season and make a run at the state tournament,' Mustangs Coach Robin Brand said.

'But to be a conference contender, in this league, that says a lot.'

The Mustangs (26-12 overall, 10-2 Wamac East) are more than mere contenders. Monday's outcome — coupled with a split between Western Dubuque and Solon — wrapped up a share of the division title, the first of Brand's tenure.

The divisional slate concludes Wednesday, and a split or better at home against Solon would wrap up an outright championship.

Mount Vernon scored three runs — two unearned — in the top of the third inning for a 3-1 lead in the opener, and it was 3-2 when the Hawks (24-14, 7-5) were threatening in the bottom of the fifth.

With runners at first and second and one out, Ally Martin laced a single to left. Sullivan gathered the ball and gunned down Heidi Yonkovic at the plate to preserve the lead.

'That was all (catcher) Bailey (Hauser),' Sullivan said. 'She put the tag on her.'

Libby Ryan's infield single plated Kristen Elliott for an insurance run in the seventh.

In Game 2, Sullivan homered on the first pitch in the top of the fourth, and Amanda Roe made it stand up.

Roe held the Hawks hitless through the first six innings. West Delaware finally broke through with a pair of singles in the seventh, but Paighton Lindauer's hard liner was right at right fielder Noelle Ossenkop.

MOUNT VERNON 4-1, WEST DELAWARE 2-0

At Manchester

Game 1

Mount Vernon 003 000 1 — 4 8 4

West Delaware 100 100 0 — 2 6 2

Madi Speed and Bailey Hauser. Macey Kleitsch and Maleah Georgen. W — Speed (12-4). L — Kleitsch (14-7).

Game 2

Mount Vernon 000 100 0 — 1 4 0

West Delaware 000 000 0 — 0 2 1

Amanda Roe and Bailey Hauser. Emily Klostermann and Maleah Georgen. W — Roe (8-3). L — Klostermann (10-7). HR — MV: Bailey Sullivan (2).

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com