MAC Goes 4-0 At Cardinal Clash
PARK HILLS, Mo. — The Mineral Area College Cardinals softball team turned in a dominant showing at the Cardinals Clash, winning all four games Feb. 19–20 with victories over Lewis & Clark Community College, Hawkeye Community College, Heartland Community College, and Shawnee Community College.
Mineral Area opened the event with a 12–6 win over Lewis & Clark, using a seven-run third inning to take control. Evvie Blankenship led the offense with three hits and two RBIs, while Ana Turner scored twice and added two hits. Anna Crowley drove in two runs, and Libby Mesch and Grace Barton combined in the circle to secure the victory.
The Cardinals followed with a 3–1 win over Hawkeye, breaking a scoreless tie with three runs in the sixth inning. Blankenship delivered the big hit with a three-RBI double, and Emma Mulholland pitched a complete game, allowing just three hits while striking out seven.
Mineral Area's offense erupted in a 10–2 win over Heartland later that day. Ava Spalding paced the attack with four hits and three RBIs, while Blankenship added three hits and Turner drove in two runs. Mulholland earned the win in the circle, with Barton providing scoreless relief.
The Cardinals closed out the showcase with a 10–0 run-rule victory over Shawnee. Blankenship and Jacie Smith each drove in three runs, and Mykencie Hutchison recorded two hits and an RBI. Mesch tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing just four hits.
Across the four-game sweep, Blankenship emerged as Mineral Area's top offensive performer, combining for nine hits and nine RBIs. Spalding also had a strong weekend with five hits and four RBIs, while Turner contributed six hits and five RBIs.
In the circle, Mulholland earned two wins and struck out nine batters in 10 innings of work, while Mesch picked up a win and a shutout. Barton added key relief appearances, allowing no runs in multiple outings.
The undefeated weekend continues to build momentum for Mineral Area as the Cardinals move forward in their early-season schedule.