Morton College softball split their Sunday doubleheader against two separate teams. They were able to put together their best offensive performance of the season with an impressive 21-4 victory over Gogebic Community College in Game 1.

They suffered a narrow loss in a back and forth seesaw matchup against College of DuPage, 7-4.

During the game one victory that was played at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, the Panthers connected on six extra-base hits, two from star outfielder Jacklyn Roney. 

She ended up collecting six hits on the day with a perfect 6-for-6 day that included seven runs scored during the doubleheader.

Roney's best at-bat of the weekend was during the fifth inning of Game 2. The left fielder ended up scratching and clawing towards a base hit after nearly a dozen pitches. 

It was also the start of a huge inning for the Morton College offense. In that fifth inning, we saw the Panthers grab a 4-2 lead, before College of DuPage went ahead in the bottom half. 

''It was such a huge at-bat to start the inning. She continues to do what we have asked of her as she is not known as a lead-off hitter, but she is a fun player to coach. It is fun to have good hitters since they do different things and bring plenty of options with the bat, and change the game. As a group, we really had good at-bats today," Manager Aaron Moore said.

The Panthers entered the weekend at 2-8, but really looked the part of a much more complete squad. They drew 13 walks and ended up with 13 hits in their Game 1 victory over Gogebic Community College.

Everybody in the starting lineup either had a base hit or drew a walk, while eight of the nine starters scored at least one run. 

Roney led the way, crossing home plate five times in the victory. The doubleheader performance was one of the best ones she was able to put together and earning a victory meant a lot for team morale.

"The first game was solid overall, those games can be tough to put together professional at-bats. We have to string good ABs together and string pieces together as a team," Moore said.

Itza Gonzales started the party off the right way, connecting on a two-run home-run to open the gates with a quick 2-0 lead.

"We've been struggling, so getting ahead early was huge. Getting a pitch to hit, was huge for Gonzales," Moore said.

Yeliann Torrado Rodriguez collected four hits and drove in five during the doubleheader split, a few that came in clutch moments.

At first base, Heather Ward continued to put a charge into a few throughout the day. Collecting three hits on the day, Ward also drove in a pair of runners and scored twice. 

On the mound, Kennedi Meinecke fired two shutout innings when the game got out of reach in favor of the Panthers. Allowing one hit and striking out one without allowing a run or a free pass was a productive performance.

"Kennedi did her job to start. When you come out, you have to throw strikes to help out the defense. She did her thing with continued improvement. It can be a challenge when you are ahead and Game 1 was an opportunity to get better," Moore said of Meinecke and the performance by the Panthers.

Game 2 also featured the skills of Meinecke on the mound, who went the distance in defeat. She was only charged with two earned runs while striking out four. She fought through nine allowed hits with one walk on the day and battled all game.

"Kennedi wants to get better and puts in the work. She showed that today and went through a pitching coach yesterday and really kept the ball away from hitters and induced weak contact. She gave us chances to make plays. Gamers want the ball and she is a gamer," Moore said of Meinecke in Game 2.

Overall, a sweep may have been the plan for the Panthers but they really put on a display of their improved skills. 

The weather is likely to improve in time, but even during the colder April weather, we have seen their ability to string tough at-bats despite falling behind the count. Putting the ball in play while also putting pressure on the defense was a theme of the day. 

"It is simple, the best two days of practice were this past Thursday and Friday for us. The game is simple if we allow it to be. We practiced and competed so well. Unfortunately, one big inning with a few defensive plays proved costly for us," Moore said.

Next up are four scheduled conference games with Skyway play heating up. Moraine Valley and McHenry County College will host the Panthers on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.  

Keep it locked here and check out our social media pages @McAthletics1924 and @MortonCollegeSB with upcoming featured stories and interviews approaching.