Cedar Rapids, Iowa - The Viterbo University Softball team lost both games in its double-header against Mount Mercy College on Sunday as the V-Hawks have won just three of their last 13 games.

The V-Hawks fell in the first game 9-1 as the Mustangs were able to take care of business in five innings due to the eight-run rule. Mustangs starting pitcher Becca Smith earned the win as she allowed just one run on two hits. She also fanned nine V-Hawk batters in her complete game effort.

The scoring started early as Mount Mercy scored five runs in the first inning off of five hits and two V-Hawk errors. The Mustangs would put up one run in the second and three runs in the bottom of the fifth as they exceeded the run rule and sealed the 9-1 victory.

Picking up the loss in game one for the V-Hawks was Bethanee Nitz (Fr. - Menomonee Falls, Wis.) who allowed five earned runs on nine hits in 4.1 innings of work. Viterbo's lone run would come on a solo home run by Sami Weaver (Fr. - Trempealeau, Wis.) in the first inning.

Game two would go extra innings as Viterbo scored three runs in the top of the seventh due to a three-run home run by Betsy Ward (Jr. - River Falls, Wis.). Viterbo's Kenisha McGuire (Fr. - La Crosse, Wis.) and Weaver would reach on errors before Ward came up to bat with two outs and sent Jackie Nale's pitch over the fence tying the game at six.

After the V-Hawks went three up, three down in the top half of the eighth, Mount Mercy was able to put an end to the game as Rosie Jones' sacrifice fly scored Jessica Magnuson who had earlier reached on an error.

Viterbo's Kallie Mechling (So. - Holmen, Wis.) picked up the loss as she allowed six earned runs while striking out four batters in 7.2 innings. Earning her second win on the day and her 18^th on the season (18-3) was Smith who pitched the final 1.1 innings for the Mustangs allowing no runs or hits.

Leading the V-Hawks at the plate in game two was Weaver, Ward, and Amanda Nordby (Fr. - Brownton, Minn.) who each collected two hits. Leading the Mustangs in hitting was Brianna Williams and Briana DeFlavio who each went 3-for-4 with an RBI.

The two losses bring Viterbo's overall record to 6-26 while they fall to 2-14 in the Midwest Collegiate Conference. The V-Hawks return to action at home this Tuesday as they face Iowa Wesleyan College in a double-header with first pitch scheduled for 3:00 pm at the Viterbo University Outdoor Athletic Complex.