Softball Game Preview: Mercy Monarchs vs. South Sioux City Cardinals

Mercy is a perfect 10-0 against South Sioux City since September of 2017 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Thursday. The Monarchs will take on the Cardinals in a tournament on Thursday. South Sioux City took a loss in their last contest and will be looking to turn the tables on Mercy, who comes in off a win.

Having struggled with seven defeats in a row, Mercy turned things around against Omaha Central on Tuesday. They walked away with a 13-9 win over the Eagles.

Vanessa Burton

Runs Batted In (Career)

09/30/25 @ Omaha Central	4
09/10/25 @ Duchesne/Roncalli	3
08/23/25 vs Lincoln North Star	3
08/26/25 @ Plattsmouth	2
08/21/25 vs South Sioux City	2

Mercy let Alexis Nuefind and Vanessa Burton run wild. Nuefind went 2-for-4 with one home run, four RBI, and two runs, while Burton went 2-for-4 with four RBI, two runs, and one triple. Those four RBI gave Burton a new career-high. The team also got some help courtesy of AJ Ersland, who went 1-for-3 with one home run and two RBI.

They weren't the only ones making solid contact: Mercy kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 12 hits. They are 5-1 when they post 11 or more hits.

Meanwhile, after soaring to 12 runs the game before, South Sioux City was a bit more limited in their game on Tuesday. They lost 14-2 to O'Neill. The Cardinals have struggled against the Eagles recently, as the game was their seventh consecutive lost matchup.

South Sioux City's loss dropped their record down to 5-22. As for Mercy, their victory bumped their record up to 7-21.

Everything went Mercy's way against South Sioux City in their previous matchup back in August, as Mercy made off with a 12-0 win. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Monarchs since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.