Cougars Split with IUSB Titans behind HR From Bielecki and Lesonsky

(Brighton, MI)-- The Cleary Cougars needed to rally in each game of their two game doubleheader today, but were only able to make the comeback happen once, as they split their series with the Indiana-South Bend (IUSB) Titans today at Legacy Center in Brighton.

In Game 1:  IUSB jumped on the board first, as the Titans were able to bring home 2 runs in the top of the first of Allison Lesonsky to take an early 2-0 lead.  Lesonsky and the defense would settle down, but the offense would struggle early in this game, as the Cougars were held without a hit until the 6th inning.  IUSB would add a run in the 4th, and another in the top of the 6th to take a commanding 4-0 lead.  The Cougars would get their rally caps on, and Osheiauna Phifer singled (the first hit of the game for Cleary), followed by Mia Rzepka getting on base after being hit by a pitch.  After a strikeout, Susie Bielecki came to the plate, and hit a 3-run bomb into the rafters of Legacy Center's Fieldhouse to narrow the deficit to 4-3, and still only 1 out in the inning.  Izzy Easton would ground out to give the Titans 2 outs, but Alex Pace singled, followed by Grace Pasterik getting hit by a pitch, and another single from Kate Currie, which brought Allison Lesonsky to the plate.  Lesonsky hit a grand slam home run over the left field wall, and helped her own cause, to give the Cougars a 7-4 lead.  Mercedes Cole was brought in to pitch in the top of the 7th, and though the Titans were able to get the tying run to the plate, Cole was able to shut them down and preserve the win.
Lesonsky pitched 6 innings, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 5 hits and striking out 1 batter.  At the plate, she went 1/3 with the home run and 4 RBI.  She is now 2-0 in this young season.

In Game 2:  Sonya Terleckyj loaded the bases in the 1st inning, and IUSB took advantage, as they hit a bases clearing triple to give the visitors a 3-0 lead in the first.  In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Cleary would also load the bases, and Izzabell Estes singled to center field to bring Maddie Campbell home to score, making it a 3-1 game, but the Cougars could not get any more runs in the inning.  The Titans would answer in the top of the 4th, as they hit a home run to center, and again in the 5th when a double brought two more runs around to score, giving IUSB a 6-1 lead, and Cleary never truly threatened the rest of the game.
Terleckyj pitched 4 innings, striking out 6 while allowing 6 runs on 9 hits.  Alexis Beeson pitched the final 3 innings, only allowing 2 hits in the game.  

Cleary is now 3-2 on the season, and will next be in action on Friday, February 18 when they take on Taylor and IUSB in the Bear Creek Tournament hosted by the University of the Cumberlands.