Game One
 

Mount Marty Softball Shuts Out Peru State in Home Opener, 8-0

The Mount Marty Lancers kicked off their season in dominant fashion with an 8-0 shutout victory over Peru State. Behind a stellar pitching performance from McKenzie Gray and a well-balanced offensive attack, the Lancers controlled the game from start to finish.

Pitching Performance – McKenzie Gray (W, 1-0)

Gray was lights-out in the circle, throwing a complete-game two-hitter in just five innings of work. She struck out four batters and walked only two, keeping the Peru State offense completely off balance. Gray needed just 75 pitches (48 strikes) to secure the win, efficiently working through the lineup.

Offensive Standouts for Mount Marty

The Lancers put up nine hits and seven RBIs, capitalizing on scoring opportunities early in the game.

• Alyssa Sosky (2-for-3, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 2B) – Sosky set the tone at the top of the lineup, doubling in a run in the second inning and scoring twice.
• Kayleen Jacinto (1-for-2, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB) – Provided an RBI single in the second and later drew a bases-loaded walk to force in another run.
• Abby Johnson (1-for-1, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB) – Picked up an RBI single in the second inning and scored in the fifth.
• Janeah Castro (1-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI) – Delivered an RBI single in the fifth to extend the lead.
• Olivia Valdez (1-for-3, 1 R, 1 3B) – Recorded the only triple of the game, setting the stage for a big second inning.

Key Moments

• 1st Inning: Brooklyn Townsend drove in the first run of the game with a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Sosky.
• 2nd Inning: The Lancers exploded for four runs, highlighted by RBI hits from Jacinto, Ray, Sosky, and Johnson.
• 5th Inning: Mount Marty added three more runs, with RBIs from Castro and Toplovich, sealing the run-rule victory.

Takeaways

• Dominant Pitching: Gray's ability to control the game kept Peru State from building any momentum.
• Timely Hitting: Seven different players contributed RBIs, showing depth throughout the lineup.
• Strong Defense: The Lancers played error-free softball, supporting their pitcher and limiting scoring chances for Peru State.

Game Two

Mount Marty Falls Short in Tight Battle Against William Penn, 3-2

Mount Marty put together a strong offensive performance, outhitting William Penn 10-4, but couldn't capitalize on key opportunities, falling 3-2 in a close nonconference contest.

Game Summary

• Early Deficit: William Penn took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single from Laila Pelds.
• Mount Marty Answers: The Lancers tied the game in the third when Olivia Valdez delivered an RBI single, but an aggressive baserunning attempt led to an out at the plate, limiting the scoring.
• Defining Inning: William Penn responded in the bottom of the third, plating two runs behind Bailee Rinn's RBI single and another run-scoring hit from Pelds.
• Late Rally Falls Short: Mount Marty added a run in the seventh, with Janeah Castro driving in Ella Ray, but the Lancers stranded the tying run on base as William Penn closed out the game.

Key Performers

Mount Marty:

• Abby Johnson: 2-for-2, double, 2 walks, 1 run
• Kayleen Jacinto: 3-for-3, triple
• Janeah Castro: 1-for-4, RBI
• Olivia Valdez: 1-for-3, RBI

William Penn:

• Laila Pelds: 2-for-3, 2 RBI
• Bailee Rinn: 1-for-2, RBI, run scored

Pitching Breakdown

• Mount Marty's Jacey Hayen (L, 0-1): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K (99 pitches, 54 strikes)
• William Penn's Madie Anderson (W, 1-0): 7.0 IP, 10 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K (128 pitches, 85 strikes)

Final Thoughts

• Mount Marty had chances, but left eight runners on base and couldn't convert key scoring opportunities.
• Pitching remained solid, with Hayen allowing just four hits over six innings, but William Penn made the most of their limited chances.
• The Lancers look to bounce back in their next game as they continue early-season play.

Game Three

Mount Marty Falls to MidAmerica Nazarene, 5-2

Mount Marty couldn't hold off a late-game surge from MidAmerica Nazarene, dropping a 5-2 contest after allowing three runs in the seventh inning.

Game Summary

• Early Lead: The Lancers struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Abby Johnson tripled to left field, scoring Kayleen Jacinto for an early 1-0 lead.
• MidAmerica Nazarene Responds: The Pioneers tied the game in the third inning on a Kelly Stoakes RBI singlebefore taking a 2-1 lead in the fifth off an Abby Schulte RBI single.
• Mount Marty Ties It: Alyssa Sosky doubled and later scored on a Janeah Castro RBI groundout in the sixth inning, bringing the score to 2-2.
• Seventh-Inning Trouble: The Pioneers broke the tie with an Elayna Goff two-run double, followed by a sacrifice bunt RBI from Aariana Paprocki, sealing the game at 5-2.

Key Performers

Mount Marty

• Abby Johnson (1-for-2, 3B, RBI) – Drove in the Lancers' first run with a triple.
• Alyssa Sosky (1-for-2, 2B, R) – Scored the second run for Mount Marty.
• Kayleen Jacinto (2-for-3, R) – Had a multi-hit game and scored in the first.
• Makayla Graunke (6.1 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 6 K) – Battled on the mound, throwing 116 pitches.

MidAmerica Nazarene

• Elayna Goff (1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI, SB) – Delivered the game-winning hit in the seventh.
• Kelly Stoakes (1-for-2, RBI, 2 BB, R) – Sparked the offense with a run and an RBI.
• Mandy Brown (7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 11 K) – Dominated on the mound, striking out 11 batters.

Key Stats Comparison

Category	Mount Marty	MidAmerica Nazarene
Runs	2	5
Hits	4	8
Errors	0	0
Strikeouts (Pitching)	6	11
Left on Base	3	8

Final Thoughts

• Mount Marty struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, managing only four hits against Mandy Brown's dominant pitching.
• The seventh inning proved costly, as the Lancers couldn't hold off MidAmerica Nazarene's late push.
• Pitching was solid overall, but limiting walks (4) and timely hits allowed will be key for Mount Marty moving forward.

Game Four

Mount Marty Falls Just Short in Pitcher's Duel Against William Penn, 2-1

A late rally by Mount Marty came up just short as the Lancers fell 2-1 in a tightly contested matchup against William Penn. Despite a strong relief effort from McKenzie Gray, Mount Marty's offense couldn't generate enough runs to overcome an early deficit.

Game Summary

• Early Trouble: William Penn took control in the second inning behind a solo home run from Tori Smith and an RBI single from Peyton Naranjo, giving them a 2-0 lead.
• Strong Relief Effort: After a tough first inning, McKenzie Gray settled in, tossing five scoreless frames while allowing just two hits.
• Lancers Battle Back: In the sixth inning, Alyssa Sosky laid down a bunt single, scoring Ella Ray to cut the lead to 2-1. However, the Lancers left the tying run stranded at third.
• William Penn Holds On: Reliever Emily Bryant closed the door, securing the save by getting the final five outs without allowing a run.

Key Performers

Mount Marty:

• Kayleen Jacinto: 1-for-3, double
• Alyssa Sosky: 1-for-3, RBI bunt single
• Ella Ray: 1-for-2, run scored

William Penn:

• Tori Smith: 1-for-3, solo home run (game-winning run)
• Peyton Naranjo: 2-for-3, RBI single

Pitching Breakdown

• Mount Marty's Madison Justesen (L, 0-1): 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR

• McKenzie Gray: 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

• William Penn's Tori Smith (W, 1-0): 5.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K

• Emily Bryant (SV, 1): 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K

Final Thoughts

• Mount Marty's offense struggled, managing just three hits and leaving three runners on base.
• McKenzie Gray was outstanding in relief, keeping the game within reach.
• The Lancers' lone run came on small ball, but they couldn't find the clutch hit to tie it late.