In the first game, the Maroons (4-1) of the University of Chicago got on the scoreboard first in the top of the first inning when Sara Whaley lined a one-out, RBI-double to left field to plate Jen Jacobson, who led off the game by reaching on an error.

MVNU (3-2) returned the favor in the bottom of the first inning when the Lady Cougars took advantage of an error by the Maroons to knot the score at 1-1. Then, in the bottom of the third inning, MVNU moved on top 2-1 when junior shortstop Tasha Konkle drew a two-out walk, stole second, and came around to score on an RBI-triple to centerfield by junior catcher Caitlin Murphy (left).

The score remained that way until the top of the sixth inning when Chicago strung together six hits to plate four runs and take a 5-2 lead. Whaley, Jenn Simile, and Lauren White each had run-scoring singles in the inning, while Kathleen Duffy added a sacrifice fly.

After the Maroons tacked on an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning on an RBI-single by Duffy to make it 6-2, the Lady Cougars tried to post a rally in the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs, junior outfielder Leslie Banichar lined a two-run double down the left field line to close the gap to 6-4. However, that would be as close as MVNU would get as Banichar was stranded at second base.

Senior right-hander Candace White (3-2) suffered the loss for the Lady Cougars as she started and worked 5.2 innings and gave up nine hits, one walk, and five runs (four earned) with two strikeouts. Sophomore lefty Stephanie Burlew worked the final 1.1 innings and allowed three hits, one walk, and one run with one strikeout.

Duffy (2-0) earned the complete game win for Chicago as she scattered six hits, two walks, and four runs (one earned) over seven innings with three strikeouts.

Offensively, Konkle and Murphy each collected two of MVNU’s six hits. Meanwhile, Jacobson, Whaley, and White had two hits apiece for the Maroons.

The second game saw the two teams combine for 24 hits, but runs were at a premium as all the scoring was limited to just three innings in what would end up being a nine-inning game.

The Lady Cougars got on the scoreboard first in the top of the first inning when they plated three runs to go up 3-0. Freshman outfielder MacKenzie Shaw led off the game with a single. One out later, Murphy reached on an error and Banichar followed with a three-run homer to right field.

The Mustangs (10-6) countered with three runs in the bottom of the second inning to knot the score at 3-3. With two outs, Sara Tschetter doubled down the left field line to plate two runs. Then, after Mount Mercy loaded the bases, Emily Madsen reached on an infield single to score another run.

At that point, the pitching took over as neither team was able to score again through seven innings. In the eighth inning, both teams had an opportunity to score with a runner at third base and one out but were unable to cross the plate. Then, in the top of the ninth inning, sophomore second baseman Kristin Kurelic plated a run with a two-out single to left field and Shaw followed with an RBI-single to shortstop as MVNU took a 5-3 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Mount Mercy threatened to rally as the Mustangs loaded the bases with two outs. However, the Lady Cougars ended the threat by getting a force out to post the hard-fought victory.

White picked up the win in relief for MVNU as she tossed the final three innings and allowed just one hit and one walk with one strikeout. Freshman right-hander Meagan Brookes started and worked the first six innings and scattered 12 hits, two walks, and three runs with two strikeouts.

Rebecca Smith (4-3) went the distance for Mount Mercy as she gave up 11 hits and five runs (three earned) with no walks and six strikeouts in nine innings of work.

Kurlic led the Lady Cougars’ offensive attack by going 3-for-4, while Banichar and Shaw added two hits apiece with Banichar driving in three runs. Meanwhile, Madsen had three hits to pace the Mustangs with Tschetter, Sheena Canady, and Laura Baldus contributing two hits each.

MVNU will return to action on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. when the Lady Cougars will take on Union (N.Y.) College. Then, the team will play a scrimmage against McHenry (Ill.) Community College at 1:30 p.m.