The PCM softball team improved to 5-3 on the season and 4-1 in the Heart of Iowa Conference Friday night with a 4-2 home win over West Marshall, while the Mustangs baseball team fell to 3-5 overall and 3-2 on the league with a 13-4 loss to the Class 2A #10 Trojans.

Defense and pitching propelled the PCM softball squad to the win over West Marshall, as they allowed just three hits in the shutout victory. Rylee Parsons notched the win in the circle, striking out five while allowing zero walks in the complete game effort. Paige Steenhoek and RaeAnn Duinink came up big at the plate for the Mustangs, batting in the only and deciding runs in the contest.

On the baseball diamond, PCM’s upset bid got started early with a three-run frame in the bottom of the first inning. The Mustangs added their fourth run in the bottom of the third, and held the Trojans scoreless through four innings. West Marshall didn’t go away quietly, scoring three runs in the fifth inning, before adding on five runs in each of the final two frames to down PCM.

The Mustangs summer sports teams have the weekend off and will return to action on Monday with single conference games at home against Roland-Story.