Game One
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Mount Marty Powers Past Briar Cliff with Strong Offensive Performance
SIOUX CITY, IA – Mount Marty exploded for 10 runs on 11 hits to secure a 10-5 victory over Briar Cliff in a non-conference showdown. The Lancers set the tone early, plating four runs in the first inning and never relinquishing the lead.
Hot Start Fuels Lancers
Mount Marty wasted no time putting runs on the board, striking for four in the top of the first. Janeah Castro's RBI single got the scoring started before an error by the Chargers' left fielder allowed three more runs to cross, giving the Lancers an early 4-0 advantage.
Briar Cliff responded quickly, cutting the deficit in half in the bottom of the inning with a two-run single from Kaela Persico. The Chargers then tied the game in the third behind an RBI double from Rylee Cain and a run-scoring single from Hailey Yon.
Mid-Game Surge Reclaims Lead
With the game knotted at 4-4 in the fourth, Mount Marty capitalized on another defensive miscue by Briar Cliff. Kayleen Jacinto reached on an error, allowing Abby Johnson to score and reclaim the lead. Castro followed with a clutch two-run single to extend the Lancers' advantage to 7-4.
Briar Cliff managed to scratch across another run in the bottom half of the fourth on Persico's second RBI of the game, but Mount Marty's pitching and defense locked in from there.
Jacinto's Blast Seals the Win
Leading 8-5 in the seventh, the Lancers added two more insurance runs in emphatic fashion. Jacinto crushed a two-run home run, bringing Johnson home and capping off a strong offensive showing for Mount Marty.
Gray Goes the Distance
McKenzie Gray delivered a gritty performance in the circle, going the full seven innings while scattering 13 hits and allowing five earned runs. Despite constant pressure from the Chargers' offense, she limited the damage, striking out five and walking just one to earn the complete-game victory.
Lancer Leaders
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Kayleen Jacinto (RF): 2-for-5, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
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Janeah Castro (2B): 2-for-5, 3 RBI, 1 R
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Abby Johnson (SS): 2-for-4, 3 R
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Alyssa Sosky (CF): 1-for-4, 3 RBI
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McKenzie Gray (P): 7.0 IP, 13 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Game Two
Lancers Rally Late to Defeat Briar Cliff, 10-7
SIOUX CITY, IA – Mount Marty used a huge seventh inning to power past Briar Cliff, securing a 10-7 victory in a back-and-forth battle. The Lancers pounded out 17 hits and scored six runs in the final frame to earn their second win of the series.
Early Back-and-Forth Action
Mount Marty jumped ahead in the first inning as Janeah Castro's RBI double and Megan Toplovich's run-scoring single put them up 2-0. Briar Cliff quickly responded, tying the game at 2-2 after a triple from Karina Cupples and a sacrifice fly by Rylee Cain.
After a scoreless second inning, Briar Cliff took the lead in the third when a passed ball allowed a run to cross, making it 3-2. Mount Marty responded in the fourth with an RBI infield single from Alyssa Sosky to even the score again.
Momentum Shifts in the Middle Innings
Briar Cliff capitalized on wild pitches in the fifth to plate two runs, taking a 5-3 lead. Mount Marty chipped away in the sixth as Ella Ray delivered an RBI single to bring the Lancers within one.
Lancers Explode for Six in the Seventh
Trailing 5-4 entering the final inning, Mount Marty's offense erupted. Regan Garry tied the game with an RBI single, and Sosky followed with a clutch two-run single to give the Lancers a 7-5 lead. Abby Johnson then roped a two-run triple before Kayleen Jacinto capped the rally with an RBI single, pushing the lead to 10-5.
Briar Cliff managed two runs in the bottom of the seventh, but McKenzie Gray shut the door to secure the win.
Key Performances
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Abby Johnson (SS) – 4-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 3B
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Alyssa Sosky (CF) – 3-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI
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Regan Garry (3B) – 2-for-4, 2 R, 1 RBI
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Janeah Castro (2B) – 1-for-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2B
Pitching Summary
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Madison Justesen (ND) – 3.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 2 K
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Jacey Hayen (W, 1-0) – 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
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McKenzie Gray (S, 1) – 1.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K
