Mount Vernon softball wrapped up its sixth straight WaMaC East title this past week.
The Mustangs earned it after a sweep against South Tama on Monday, June 29, at Van Metre Family Softball Complex, winning 18-0 and 28-0.
“Kudos to all the Mount Vernon kids who have gone through here,” coach Robin Brand said. “They’ve really left a goal for everyone to reach. And our kids continue to meet those expectations.”
Brand was quick to point out the WaMaC is always tough, but may have been tougher than ever in 2026.
“I’d say it was heads and tails better than the past, up and down standings,” Brand said. “There were so many splits.”
In the opener against the Trojans, Hayden Gookin pitched a no-hitter over four innings, striking out 10.
Mount Vernon had 13 hits, led by Sophia Patten, who hit 3-for-4 with a double, a triple and 4 RBIs. Rylee Rasmussen hit 2-for-2 with a double and 4 RBIs, and Kinley Nissen hit 2-for-2 with a double and 3 RBIs. Annabelle Smith hit 2-for-2 with a double.
The lone senior, Carly Elliott, was honored on Senior Night.
“They don’t come any better than Carly,” Brand said. “She is a true Mount Vernon softball kid. I wish we had 100 Carlys. She is a quiet leader who does everything right.”
In Game 2, Nissen pitched a 1-hitter over four innings, striking out eight.
The Mustangs had 19 hits, led by Nissen who hit 4-for-5 with three triples, a home run, and 3 RBIs.
Brynlee Bettcher hit 3-for-5 with two doubles and a triple, Lucy Wischmeyer hit 3-for-3 with a double and 3 RBIs, Gookin had a triple and 4 RBIs, and Smith hit 2-for-3 with a triple and 3 RBIs.
On Wednesday, July 1, No. 4 Mount Vernon split a doubleheader at No. 10 West Delaware. The Hawks won the opener, the Mustangs won the nightcap, and both scores were 5-2.
In the loss, Bettcher and Nissen each hit a home run. Patten and Nissen both hit 2-for-3. Nissen took the pitching loss, but gave up just five hits.
In the second game, Gookin held West Delaware to two hits and struck out 11. She also batted 3-for-4 with a home run and 4 RBIs.
Patten hit 3-for-4 with two doubles, and Wischmeyer, Smith and Sorell Telecky each had two singles.
On Thursday, July 2, Mount Vernon (30-7, 17-4) lost at Marion, 3-0. The second game was rained out and cancelled.
Gookin pitched a 6-hitter, striking out nine. Nissen hit a triple and Smith had a double.
“You want games that will make you better,” Brand said. “Every loss is a learning opportunity, and we had many things to take back to practice that will help us in the long run.”
The Mustangs open Class 3A, Region 4 play on Thursday, July 9, vs. Union (2-16) at Van Metre Field. The other side of the region includes No. 14 Clear Lake and Center Point-Urbana, the team that has knocked them out of regional play the last two seasons.
“We have the buy-in,” Brand said. “We’ve had outstanding practices and there is a fire in their bellies. They are ready to roll.”