Mount Marty Drops GPAC Opener to Dakota Wesleyan, 12-3

YANKTON, S.D. – The Mount Marty Lancers (9-10, 0-1 GPAC) showed some fight at the plate but ultimately fell 12-3 to Dakota Wesleyan (21-6, 1-0) in their conference opener Thursday.

After falling behind 4-0 in the third inning, Mount Marty answered back with a big swing from Kayleen Jacinto. The sophomore outfielder stepped up with a two-run blast to left field, driving in Alyssa Sosky, who had reached earlier in the inning. The home run cut the deficit to 4-2 and gave the Lancers some momentum.

In the fifth, Mount Marty found another scoring opportunity when Reese McIlttrot came in to pinch run and made her way around the bases. With one out, Ella Ray put the ball in play and grounded out to second base, but it was enough to bring McIlttrot home, adding another run to make it 8-3.

That would be all the offense the Lancers could generate against DWU's Alison Ernsberger, who allowed just three hits over six innings.

Defensively, Janeah Castro and Olivia Valdez turned a key double play, and McKenzie Gray recorded five strikeouts in her start before Jacey Hayen took over in relief.
 

Mount Marty Battles Back Late but Falls to Dakota Wesleyan

YANKTON, S.D. – Mount Marty's offense found its stride late, but an early offensive surge from Dakota Wesleyan proved too much as the Lancers fell 17-9 in five innings in game two of the doubleheader.

Despite trailing early, Mount Marty showed resilience at the plate, highlighted by three home runs. In the second inning, Megan Toplovich got the Lancers on the board with an RBI double, driving in Janeah Castro.

Trailing 17-1 in the fourth, Jayden Simpkins provided a spark with a two-run homer to left field, scoring Castro to cut the deficit to 17-3.

The Lancers kept the momentum rolling in the fifth. Abby Johnson started the rally with an RBI double to bring home Alyssa Sosky. Kayleen Jacinto then reached on an error, allowing Johnson to score and make it 17-5.

Castro continued her big day at the plate, launching a two-run homer, plating Jacinto to bring the Lancers closer at 17-7. Simpkins followed with her second home run of the game, a two-run shot that scored Olivia Valdez, capping a six-run inning.

Despite the offensive surge, Mount Marty was unable to close the gap as the game ended in the fifth due to the run rule. Castro finished with a team-high three hits and two RBIs, while Simpkins led with two home runs and four RBIs.

The Lancers will look to bounce back in their next contest as they continue GPAC play. The Lancers will host Morningside on Sunday starting at 3 PM.