CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA -- Bolstered by a strong pitching effort from Saige Keller, the Ellsworth softball team got a much-needed win the first game of a doubleheader with the Mt. Mercy junior varsity on Tuesday afternoon. Keller threw a complete game, allowed 6 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 7 and not walking a batter as she got her 4th pitching win of the spring as the Panthers won game one, 5-2. The hosts bounced back with a 4-0 win in the nightcap.
ECC plated 2 runs in the 3rd inning and 3 more in the 5th to take the opener. Mt. Mercy got single runs against Keller in the 4th and 5th innings. Eight of the Panthers' 9 hits were singles. Madeline Myer's double was the only extra-base hit and she drove in 2 runs. Emma Gordon and Taryn Cory also knocked in runs. ECC stole a season-high 5 bases, 2 by Maddy Harding, the Panthers' leadoff hitter, who scored twice. Gordon, Myer and Keller also crossed the plate.
Ellsworth only managed 5 singles in game 2, a pair by Gordon and one apiece for Gracie Pierce, Cory and Marleigh Sykes, Cory started and went 3 innings in the circle. Lauren Brennan followed with 3 scoreless innings of relief, permitting just one hit with 3 Ks.
A doubleheader against Southwestern CC is scheduled for Thursday afternoon at Legion Field.