The Lady Statesmen (32-16, 20-4 MCC), who won 4-3 (12 innings) and 9-0 (5 innings), have inched ever closer to the regular season title as they continue to hold a three-game lead in the loss column over both Grand View and Waldorf, both of whom are 17-7. Already with a sizeable lead, Penn also gets help from the fact that its last six conference games are at home.

Penn scored first on the day with three runs in the top of the third frame, beginning with Hailey Dreyer (Jr., Twin Lakes, Wis., Dubuque) scoring on a wild pitch.

Tyanna Helton (Jr., Santa Rosa, Calif., Palomar CC) then brought Ashley Stream (Fr., Chariton, Chariton HS) home on a fielder's choice and Ashley Johnson (Sr., Burlington, Southeastern CC) singled home Leah Mork (Jr., DeWitt, North Iowa Area CC) to end the inning.

Mount Mercy responded with three runs of its own in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game at 3-3.

Neither team scored in the seventh and the game went to extra innings.

Both squads had chances to score in the first few extra frames, including the Lady Statesmen advancing runners to third base twice, but the go-ahead run did not come until the 12th inning.

With two outs and runners on first and second, Hanna Meinecke (So., Jefferson, Jefferson-Scranton HS) entered the game to pinch hit for Stacie Gaskill (Sr., Lake Mills, Lake Mills HS). The sophomore then dropped in a single and Krystle Carr (Sr., Acton, Calif., Paraclete HS) raced in from second base to give Penn a 4-3 advantage.

Johnson, in relief of starter Allysa Fligg (Sr., Agency, Nebraska-Omaha), then put the Mustangs (22-14, 11-8 MCC) down in order in the bottom of the 12th.

Penn outhit Mount Mercy 14-7 and Stream and Johnson were the team's best two offensive threats as each finished 3-6. Carr and Dreyer also multiple-hit performances by going 2-6.

Fligg, one game removed from her first no-hitter at Penn on Monday, could not produce the same showing against Mount Mercy. The senior allowed three runs (all earned) on six hits in 5 2/3 innings of action. She struck out seven with one walk, but did not figure into the decision.

Johnson replaced her in the sixth and tossed a terrific 6 1/3 innings. The senior, who is now 11-5, shut out Mount Mercy on one hit. She struck out nine with two walks.

Game two had much less drama as the Lady Statesmen jumped out to an early lead and cruised to a mercy-rule victory.

Penn scored six runs in the second, one in the fourth, and two more in the fifth.

Helton was the offensive star as she was 3-4 with six RBIs and one run. The junior had a grand slam home run in the second, her ninth of the year and 29th of her career, leaving her just two shy of the school's record of 31 career home runs, set by Kristina McNew (2003-2005).

Mork, Gaskill, and Cassie Holt (Fr., Muskego, Wis., Muskego HS) were all 2-2 in the win. Mork and Holt scored twice as well.

Hannah Lugar (Fr., Kalona, Mid-Prairie HS) was strong in the pitcher's circle, shutting out Mount Mercy on just three hits. The freshman, who is now 9-5, had five strikeouts and one walk.

Next: Penn hosts Ashford in an MCC doubleheader Thursday beginning at 4 p.m.