SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Mission University Softball continued its early-season schedule this week with two doubleheader matchups, hosting Graceland on March 3 before welcoming Southwestern on March 5. The Patriots took three of the four games, showing clear offensive progress as the lineup began to find its rhythm at the plate.
Patriots Earn First Win of the Season
Mission picked up its first win of the year in the opening game against Graceland, securing a 3–2 victory behind a strong pitching performance from Hailey Presley.
Presley went the distance in the circle, throwing seven innings while striking out eight and allowing just two runs. Offensively, the Patriots produced timely hitting in the middle innings. Cole Smith delivered a two-RBI single in the fourth inning, while Maddie Good added an RBI to help Mission take control of the game.
Mission finished with six hits in the win, including two from Courtney Merrell, while Mya Frillman and Maggie Painter also contributed hits.
Graceland Takes Nightcap
Graceland responded in game two, defeating the Patriots 3–0 despite Mission collecting five hits.
Merrell, Presley, and Smith each recorded hits, but the Patriots were unable to push runs across against a strong pitching effort from the Yellowjackets. Jillian McDaniel pitched a complete game for Mission, striking out eight while allowing three runs.
Patriots Sweep Southwestern
Mission continued its improved offensive production on March 5 in a doubleheader against Southwestern.
In game one, the Patriots secured a 2–1 victory thanks to power at the plate and another complete-game effort in the circle from Presley. Apryl Zeno and Haley Frillman each launched solo home runs to account for both Mission runs, while Presley held Southwestern to just one run on five hits.
Offensive Breakout in Game Two
The Patriots carried that momentum into game two, producing their most productive offensive performance of the week in a 5–3 win.
Mission pounded out 13 hits, showcasing the lineup's growing confidence at the plate. Courtney Merrell led the way with a home run and two RBIs, while Haley Presley added two hits and an RBI. Maggie Painter contributed a pair of doubles, and Kloe Hendrickson and Cole Smith each added hits.
McDaniel picked up the win in the circle, throwing six strong innings while striking out five.
Patriots Finding Their Rhythm
After a challenging opening weekend offensively, the Patriots showed clear improvement as the week progressed. Mission recorded six hits in the Graceland opener, five in game two, ten in the Southwestern opener, and thirteen in the finale, demonstrating a steady increase in offensive production.
With the lineup beginning to settle in and multiple players contributing throughout the order, the Patriots look poised to build on that momentum as the season continues.
Mission will look to carry that offensive rhythm into the next stretch of games as the Patriots continue their 2026 campaign.
