Pride overcome tough start to split doubleheader with Mount Mercy

DUBUQUE, Iowa - A doubleheader that was originally scheduled for last Wednesday, Apr. 10, the Clarke University softball team was able to earn a 5-4 win following a tough 11-1 loss against Mount Mercy University on Sunday afternoon.

The story of the five-inning loss to the Mustangs was a pair of big offensive innings for MMU as they would put up six runs in the second behind three run-scoring extra basehits as they would come right back in the third inning to add five more to jump out 11-0 early in the day.

That would be plenty for Mount Mercy starting pitcher Kalli Minger, who would complete all five innings allowing just four CU hits and one earned run with three strikeouts on the day.

Game two would be a different story as it would be mostly Pride throughout as Elizabeth Leverton would drive in the game's opening run in the third inning before a three-RBI triple from Lily King came in the fourth for a 5-0 Clarke lead as King would also score on the play following an error by the Mount Mercy second baseman.

That lead would hold until the top of the seventh as the Mustangs would mount a late comeback to score four runs all after two outs in the inning as Malarie Huseman would relieve Meredith Gatto to get the final out of the game with a strikeout to seal the one-run victory.

All of the runs allowed by Gatto would go in as unearned as she allowed 10 hits and only struck out one batter for her fifth win of the season as Huseman would get credit for the save, CU's first save of the season.

Pride softball will be in action for the third-straight day as they will be headed to Watertown, Wis. for a non-conference doubleheader matchup against Maranatha Baptist University on Monday with a game one first pitch scheduled for 5:00 p.m. CT.