COLUMBUS BOUND! MUSTANGS PUNCH FIRST EVER TICKET TO ELITE 8 AFTER 5-3 GAME THREE VICTORY OVER PRINCE AVENUE

ATLANTA - The Mount Vernon varsity softball team is headed to Columbus and the Elite Eight for the first time in program history.

The Mustangs punched their ticket with a 5-3 Game Three victory over the Prince Avenue Wolverines at Mustang Park on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 21.

The Wolverines started the scoring early when Audrey Vandagriff led off the game with a home run for a 1-0 Prince Avenue lead.

The lead was short-lived, as the Mustangs tied the contest 1-1 in the bottom of the first inning on a Grace Westmoreland single to plate Bella Dishman.

Mount Vernon took the lead for good in the bottom of the second, scoring three runs for a 4-1 edge.

Reagan Hickey smashed a solo home run to left center followed by a Westmoreland double that plated Jane Holliday and Frances Hunt.

After three scoreless frames, the Wolverines added a run in the top of the sixth inning when Vandagriff drew a bases loaded walk for a 4-2 contest.

The Mustangs got that run back in the bottom half of the sixth when Reese Hickey doubled home Lauren Dove for a 5-2 Mustang lead.

The Wolverines threatened in the top of the seventh, scoring one run on a Lauren MacDonald double to plate Madi Gillespe.

But Westmoreland got a line out, ground out and strike out to end the Wolverine threat to send the Mustangs to the Elite Eight.

Check www.mountvernonathletics.com and @MV_Athletics on Twitter in the coming days for updates on the Mustangs in the GHSA Class-A Private Elite Eight.

The Mount Vernon Athletic Department strives to build the student-athlete by providing a five-star experience built on community, courage, development, hospitality and professionalism. As a school of inquiry, innovation and impact grounded in Christian values, we prepare all students to be college-ready, globally competitive, and engaged citizen leaders. For more information on Mount Vernon athletics, visit www.mountvernonathletics.com and follow @MV_Athletics on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news on the Mustangs.