Mercer’s no-hitter helps softball go 4-0 on the weekend, set up showdown with Highland

With a huge doubleheader against No. 13-ranked Highland looming on Tuesday, the Cowley College softball team did a good job of not overlooking a pair of struggling teams as they swept a home doubleheader against Independence on Saturday by scores of 10-5 and 4-2 before blasting Fort Scott 8-0 and 6-1 Sunday in Fort Scott.

With the wins, Cowley improves to 21-7 overall and 11-1 in the Jayhawk Conference. The Lady Tigers are one game behind conference-leading Highland (10-0) in the loss column as they prepare to host the Scotties in a doubleheader Tuesday beginning at 2 p.m.

Sophomore pitcher Ashlynn Mercer continued her strong season by going the distance in a 10-5 win over Independence on Saturday before coming back on Sunday to no-hit Fort Scott 8-0 in a five-inning, run-rule win. Mercer struck out nine and walked four as she improved her record to 12-3 on the season.

"I thought Ashlynn really did a great job of using her speed to her advantage with their hitters, as she had great control of the game," Cowley head coach Jenny Hoyt said. "Aaliyah Ahmed's work back behind the plate has really helped our pitchers. She has a been a big asset to all our pitchers."

Alivia Lange had three of Cowley's nine hits in the 10-5 win over Independence, while Lange, Sydney Price, and Cierah Jones each homered in the 4-2 win of game two. Price also shined on the mound as she was one out away from a complete game. Price allowed six hits and two runs in 6 2/3 innings before giving way to Ashlynn Mercer, who came on to record the final out.

Against Fort Scott on Sunday, Tye North homered and drove in three runs to help Cowley to the 8-0 win of game one.

In game two, Lange and Ahmed each went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in and Price (6-1) allowed only one run in seven innings as Cowley won 6-1.

"Tye North and Alivia Lange both came up huge for us this weekend on scoring runs," Hoyt said. "They both were tough outs throughout this weekend series."

Cowley, winners of six games in a row, will face a Highland team that has won 19 games in a row.

Results from Saturday:

Game one                   R H E

Indy     0 0 0 0 5 0 0 – 5 4 2

Cowley 2 1 1 2 3 1 x – 10 9 2

Game two                   R H E

Indy     0 0 0 0 0 0 2 – 2 6 2

Cowley 1 0 1 1 1 0 x – 4 9 2

Results from Sunday:

Game one               R H E

Cowley  0 0 5 3 0 – 8 8 1

Ft. Scott 0 0 0 0 0 – 0 0 2

Game two                     R H E

Cowley  1 0 3 0 0 2 0 – 6 12 1

Ft. Scott 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 – 1 6 0