[Softball] Hill, Magnuson move up home run chart as Mustangs split

OSKALOOSA, Iowa -- Junior first baseman Liz Hill set the career home run record and senior third baseman Jessica Magnuson is right behind her on the all-time home run chart as Mount Mercy split a Midwest Collegiate Conference doubleheader tonight at William Penn.

Both players homered for the Mustangs in a 7-4 victory in game one. Hill blasted a three-run shot in the top of the first inning to give Mount Mercy an early 3-0 lead. The game was tied, 4-4, after seven, but a two-run homer by Magnuson and an RBI single by junior left fielder Christina Husmann in the 10th inning was the difference.

Hill ended up 2-for-4 with three runs batted in, while Magnuson was 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and two runs scored. Junior designated player Mariah Early also homered and junior second baseman Rosie Jones collected two hits for the Mustangs. Junior right-hander Paige Lager went the full 10 innings, allowing just one earned run on five hits while striking out five and walking none.

Hill hit another home run, her third of the season, but it was all the offense the Mustangs could muster in an 8-1 loss in the nightcap. The Lady Statesmen (17-7, 2-1 MCC) used a five-run fourth inning to put the game away. Early, Husmann and sophomore right fielder Brooklyn Schrader each had two hits for the Mustangs (9-11, 2-2 MCC). Early was saddled with the loss, giving up five earned runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. Freshman righty Kayley Hakeman didn't allow an earned run in 2 1/3 inning of relief.

Hill, who set the single-season home run mark with 11 last year, now has 17 career homers, breaking the previous record of 16 held by Mount Mercy Hall of Famer and former NAIA all-American Kim Hutchins. Magnuson, in just her second season with the Mustangs, now has seven homers this season and is tied with Hutchins in second place on the career list.

Mount Mercy goes back to Oskaloosa this weekend for the first of two MCC Challenge weekends. On Saturday, the Mustangs play St. Ambrose at 1:15 p.m. and Clarke at 3:30 p.m. at the Mahaska County Recreation Foundation. Then on Sunday, Mount Mercy is slated to face Grand View at 11:00 a.m. and Viterbo (Wis.) at 1:15 p.m.