NIACC drops pair of games to Mount Mercy

By The Globe Gazette staff

ROSEMOUNT, Minn. — The NIACC softball team opened its season Thursday with a pair of losses in a doubleheader vs. Mount Mercy. The Mustangs took Game 1 11-0 in five innings and won Game 2 19-6 in five innings.

"We had some nerves come into play today so it's a good thing we got that first game over with," NIACC coach Christi Weiser said.

Courtney Johannes earned the loss in the circle in the first game after striking out four and walking four. Morgan Thesing-Ritter had NIACC's lone hit.

The Lady Trojans' offense came alive a bit more in the second game but a 10-run first and 8-run fifth gave Mount Mercy more than enough for the win.

NIACC pitchers Megan Wallace and Hannah Dove combined for two strikeouts and five walks in the loss.

"Our pitchers learned that they have to attack batters and have to pitch the ball and not aim," Weiser said.

Wallace, Thesing-Ritter and Payton Bamrick each had a pair of hits for NIACC.

NIACC (0-2) is back in action today vs. Cardinal Stritch and Waldorf in Rosemount, Minnesota.

Mount Mercy 11, NIACC 0 (5)

NIACC 000 00 – 0 1 5

Mount Mercy 610 4x – 11 9 0

Courtney Johannes (4K, 4BB) and Elise Powers. Menster (0K, 0BB), Irwin (3) (4K, 0BB) and Miller. W - Menster; L - Johannes (0-1). 3B – Madsen (MM), Magana (MM). 2B – Davidson (MM), Menster (MM). Multiple hits – Madsen 2, Menster 2.

Mount Mercy 19, NIACC 6 (5)

Mount Mercy (10)00 18 – 19 15 3

NIACC 112 20 – 6 8 4

Croghan (2K, 1BB), Stukerjurgen (3) (2K, 2BB) and Miller. Megan Wallace (1K, 4BB), Hannah Dove (5) (1K, 1BB) and Shayley Vesel. W - Croghan; L - Wallace (0-1). HR – Medina (MM) 2. 2B – Davidson, Magana, Megan Wallace (N) (1), Brittany Florea (N) (1). Multiple hits – Madsen 2, Jerman (MM), Magana 2, Menster 2, Mooney (MM) 2, Thesing-Ritter 2, Wallace 2, Payton Bamrick 2.