[Softball] Mustangs drop a pair at MCC Challenge Weekend

MORRISON, Ill. -- Ashford limited Mount Mercy to three hits in the opener and William Penn used a four-run eighth inning to beat the Mustangs in the nightcap in Sunday action at the Midwest Collegiate Conference Challenge Weekend.

Inclement weather wiped out Saturday's entire slate of games, but Sunday's schedule was played in its entirety. Junior first baseman Liz Hill hit a solo home run and sophomore right fielder Brooklyn Schrader had Mount Mercy's other two hits in a 3-1 loss to Ashford. Junior right-hander Mariah Early (6-10) had a strong outing despite getting the loss. She scattered eight hits over six innings, striking out five and walking none while allowing a pair of earned runs.

William Penn capitalized on four Mustang errors, including two in the top of the eighth inning, to defeat Mount Mercy, 5-1, later in the day. The Mustangs collected eight hits in the game, but stranded six runners. Sophomore shortstop Stephanie Russell was 2-for-3 and junior designated hitter Briana DeFlavio had an RBI single for Mount Mercy. Junior righty Paige Lager (10-9) went 7 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits while striking out four and walking two.

The Mustangs (18-20, 8-8 MCC) have four games against the top two teams in the league this week. First, they travel to Des Moines to take on league-leading Grand View (18-21, 13-5 MCC) on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m., then head to La Crosse, Wis., for an MCC doubleheader against second-place Viterbo (Wis.) (15-11, 9-5 MCC) on Thursday at 3:00 p.m.