Mt. Pleasant 1-1 at Louisa-Muscatine softball tourney

LETTS — Both Mt. Pleasant and Columbus traveled to Louisa-Muscatine High School on Saturday for the Falcons’ home tournament. The Panthers split games, going 1-1, and Columbus fell twice.

When the Panthers and Wildcats went at it, there were 15 runs that crossed the plate. Mt. Pleasant scooped up their first win of the season 8-7.

Columbus took an early lead with a two-run top of the first, but Mt. Pleasant scored six runs over the first three innings to take a 6-2 advantage.

The Wildcats scrapped back to eventually tie the game with two runs in the top of the sixth, but Mt. Pleasant had one more left in them, scoring the winning run in the bottom of the sixth.

Savana Walls went 2-for-2 with two RBIs to lead the Panthers. Jersey Beachy and Madison Helling each knocked in two runs and Jayden Housh and Saige Burchett both collected one. Bethany Drury collected three walks and scored twice.

Helling started in the circle for Mt. Pleasant and threw six innings, giving up seven runs (four earned), while striking out five batters.

Mt. Pleasant’s win over Columbus came after a 5-4 loss against hosting Louisa-Muscatine in the opening round. The Panthers stormed back from a 5-0 deficit to make it interesting, but could never get the tying run across.

Helling went 2-for-3 with three RBIs to lead the Panthers in the opener. Drury was 1-for-2 with a triple and an RBI, a nd Emma Starr went 2-for-3 with a double.

Ella McNamee was in the circle for Game 1. Over four innings, McNamee gave up five runs (one earned).

Like Mt. Pleasant, Columbus had a battle in their first game of the day. The Wildcats took on Lisbon and it was a pitcher’s dual throughout, falling 1-0.

Columbus’ Lily Coil went toe-to-toe with Lisbon star Ryleigh Allgood. The two traded shut out innings all game long, but it was the Lions who found a run, scoring once in the fourth inning.

Mt. Pleasant moved to 1-1 after the tournament. Columbus sits at 2-3.