Softball Recap: Mount Mercy Academy Starts off Right with Win over Cheektowaga

Mount Mercy Academy had to travel to play their first game of the season, but the final result was worth the trip. They were the clear victors by a 13-5 margin over the Cheektowaga Chargers on Thursday. For the Magic, this counts as revenge for the 2-0 victory the Chargers walked away with the last time they faced one another back in April of 2024.

Taylor Jahn made a splash no matter where she played. On the mound, she struck out 14 batters over seven innings while giving up three earned (and two unearned) runs off three hits. Those 14 strikeouts gave her a new career-high. She was also stellar in the batter's box, firing off two home runs and three runs while going 2-for-4.

Riley Coughlin

Doubles (Career)

03/27/25 @ Cheektowaga	2
05/13/24 @ St. Mary's	1
05/08/24 vs Mount St. Mary Academy	1
04/30/24 vs Nichols	1
04/25/24 vs Sacred Heart Academy	1

In other batting news, Riley Coughlin and Laila Golda did most of the damage at the plate: Coughlin went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and three RBI, while Golda scored three runs and stole a base while going 3-for-3. The dominant performance also gave Coughlin a new career-high in doubles (two). Natalie McOwen was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-4.

Mount Mercy Academy was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .375. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Cheektowaga only posted a batting average of .154.

Coming up, Mount Mercy Academy will challenge East Aurora at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday. As for Cheektowaga, they will square off against Kennedy at 4:30 p.m. on Friday.