DUBUQUE - The Mount Mercy softball team displayed some effective  pitching and timely hitting and swept a Heart of America Conference  doubleheader from Clarke, 4-1 and 4-2 in eight innings, Tuesday in  Dubuque.

The twin-killing lifted the Mustangs to 26-18 overall and 17-13 in the  conference. Clarke fell to 9-26 overall and 7-23 in the league.

Anna Stenberg and Jessica Miller had two hits for Mount Mercy in the  4-1 victory in the opener. Payton Bruner hit a solo home run. Tawny  Menster (10-3) pitched a complete game, allowing one run on seven hits.

Stenberg, Jolona Shield and Emily Oler had two hits in the 4-2 triumph  in the nightcap. Menster and Oler socked solo homers. Jayna Witzany  (10-7) picked up the victory in relief of Madelyn Irwin.

The second game was tied, 1-1, after seven innings. Mount Mercy scored  three runs in the top of the eighth, then held off Clarke after the  home team scored one run in the bottom of the eighth.

GAME 1

Mount Mercy    200 101 0 - 4 9 0
Clarke         000 001 0 - 1 7 2

Menster and Miller. L.Gratz and E.Gratz, Tigges. W - Menster (10-3). L  - Gratz (3-8). 2B - Heick, Braughton. HR - Bruner. SB - Bruner, Menster.

GAME 2

Mount Mercy    001 000 03 - 4 10 2
Clarke         000 001 01 - 2 7 0

Irwin, Witzany (6) and Miller. Didier, Schwartzhoff (8) and Tigges. W  - Witzany (10-7). L - Didier (2-5). HR - Menster, Oler. SB - Bruner,  Miller.