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.