Mustangs take No. 1 seed to softball regional

CEDAR RAPIDS - Stability has returned to the Mount Mercy College softball program.

So has success.

Regular-season champions of the Midwest Collegiate Conference, the Mustangs (33-9) pursue the MCC tournament crown (and an automatic berth in the NAIA national tournament) this weekend at Ames.

“It would be amazing. We've worked and worked,” said Liz Hill, a sophomore from Shellsburg. “I can't imagine what it would be like to make it to nationals.”

The Mustangs need three wins to get there. They face Waldorf in the first round of the double-elimination event at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

No matter what happens, this is once again a healthy program.

The 2004 season was suspended due to low numbers, and a dizzying coaching carousel followed.

Glenn Johnson took over in 2007, and the Mustangs have been ascendant since.

“We weren't in very good shape when we started,” Johnson recalled.

“Our identity now is the relationship the players have with one another. They're very supportive of one another, and it's reflected on their performance on the field.”

There's talent, too. Eight regulars are batting .300 or better, led by Rosie Jones, a sophomore infielder from Lisbon, at .409.

Hill is the primary power source, with 11 home runs and 46 RBIs.

“I believe in the mechanics the coaches have taught us,” she said. “I trust what they're saying.”

Former Solon star Becca Smith (23-3, 0.98 ERA) headlines the pitching staff. Smith has struck out 249 and walked 18 in 165 innings of work.

The Mustangs' season will end, either in Ames or in Decatur, Ala., site of the national tournament.

But for many of the players, softball will continue into the summer.

“We've got eight or nine kids who are going to be assistant (high school) coaches this summer,” Johnson said. “That speaks well of them.”

Coe seeks IIAC repeat

The double-elimination Iowa Conference tournament begins in Indianola at 1 p.m. today, when defending champion Coe takes on Buena Vista.

Host Simpson (29-8) is the top seed; Luther (34-5) is No. 2.

Fourth-seed Coe (23-14) was the NCAA Division-III national runner-up last year.

The tournament concludes Saturday.