CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA -- The Ellsworth CC softball team began its 2023 spring schedule with a victory on Tuesday, beating the Mount Mercy JV, 8-6.

The Panthers took a 5-4 lead into the top of the 7th inning and then scored 3 runs to build a cushion going into the final at-bats for Mount Mercy.  The hosts got 2 of the runs back, but were shut down after that by ECC's Saige Keller, who recorded the win in her collegiate pitching debut.  Keller went the distance and struck out 6.  The Ellsworth offense got doubles from Madeline Myer and Kierstyn Sutton and a triple by Gracie Pierce, who knocked in 3 runs.  Myer had 2 RBIs and Lauren Brennan and Katie DeMaio 1 each.  Myer and Pierce scored 2 runs apiece.

The game was scoreless until ECC pushed across 3 runs in the 3rd inning.  They scored twice in the 6th before another 3-run inning in the 7th.

The Panthers are slated to play a doubleheader at Southeastern CC on Wednesday.