CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA -- The Ellsworth CC softball team pulled off a big come-from-behind win in the opener before dropping a close decision in the nightcap in a doubleheader against the Mt. Mercy JV.  Down 8-0 after 4 innings in game 1, the Panthers put together back-to-back 5-run innings and and added an insurance tally in an 11-9 victory.  They spotted the hosts a 4-0 advantage after 1 inning in the next game, then came up a run short after scoring 2 in the 5th and a single run in the 7th, losing 4-3.

The opener featured a season-high 16 hits for ECC, 4 of them by Katelynn Hursh, who scored 3 runs, drove in 2 and slugged her 1st homer of the spring.  Maddy Harding had 3 hits and 2 RBIs and Emma Gordon, Allison Paulsen and Kierstyn Sutton all had 2-hit games.  Harding and Taryn Petty had 2 RBIs each. 

Starting pitcher Taryn Cory overcame 7 errors behind her to go 6 innings and get the win.  Only 2 of the 9 runs she allowed were earned.  Angelica Agro retired all 3 batters she faced to nail down the save.

In game 2, ECC only had 5 hits, one of them a triple by Kendra Rohner, who scored twice.  Cory and Taryn Petty also had runs batted in.  Elli Han, who walked 2 times in the first game, had 3 more in this one.

Agro went the distance, scattering 7 hits and striking out 10.  Just 2 of the 4 runs were earned.

The Panthers travel to take on Kansas City Kansas CC in a doubleheader on Saturday.