Mt. Pleasant softball snaps SEC losing streak

KEOKUK — July 6, 2020. That was the last time the Mt. Pleasant softball team had won a Southeast Conference game. That is, until Thursday night.

The Panthers snapped an almost two-year long SEC losing streak, beating Keokuk 6-3 in Game 2 of Thursday’s doubleheader, earning revenge for a 10-0 loss in Game 1.

Mt. Pleasant stormed back from a 3-0 deficit with just three at-bats left. The Panthers scored five runs in the fifth and one in the sixth, and Keokuk was shut out from the third inning on.

The tandem of Ella McNamee and Myah Starr pitched the Panthers to victory. McNamee started the game and held Keokuk to three unearned runs over four innings to earn the win in the circle. Starr pitched three shutout innings in relief.

Emma Starr finished the game 1-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Savana Walls and Addison Clark were each 2-for-4 with an RBI. Bethany Drury and Saige Burchett each knocked in one, and McNamee had two hits.

“Great gitching start by Ella (and) great finish by Myah!,” said Mt. Pleasant head coach Mike Beason. “Timely hitting. Great team win. Congratulations to all the players for their perseverance!”

Mt. Pleasant had just three hits in Game 2. Drury went 2-for-2 with a triple, and McNamee was 1-for-2. Ty Alter was tagged with the loss in the circle.

Mt. Pleasant is now 3-20 overall and 1-15 in conference play. The Panthers will host Burlington (16-11, 10-5) on Monday.