Cougars Swept by Mt. Vernon Nazarine in Florida

(Kissimmee, FL)-- The Cleary Cougars softball team played a pair of games against the Mt. Vernon Nazarene Cougars today in Kissimmee, dropping both games by a score of 4-0, and 6-1.

In Game 1:  Mt.Vernon Nazarene (MVNU) was held in check the first two innings by pitcher Mercedes Cole until the bottom of the 3rd inning when a pair of singles scored the game's first run.  Cole and her defense would get Cleary out of the jam without allowing any more damage.  In the bottom of the 5th, MVNU got a runner on base with one out, and would bring that runner home with two consecutive singles to take a 2-0 lead.  MVNU solidified their lead in the bottom of the 6th three more singles that scored two runs to take a 4-0 lead, and end Cole's day pitching.  
Mercedes Cole went 5.1 innings, allowing 4 R on 12 hits and striking out 2.  Osheiauna Phifer went 2/4 at the plate, while Susie Bielecki, Sarah Cassidy, and Kate Currie each added one hit a piece.

In Game 2:  In the second game, and with the two teams switching home sides, Osheiauna Phifer hit a single in the bottom of the 1st to get on base, and then stole second to get into scoring position.  Two batters later, Kate Currie singled to center field to score Phifer, but the Cougars would be unable to extend their early lead.  MVNU would take the lead in the top of the 3rd with back to back hits to score twice, making the score 2-0.  That score would hold until the top of the 7th, when a single brought in one more run, and MVNU followed that up with a 3-run home run to take a 6-1 lead they would not relinquish.
Allison Lesonsky took the loss on the mound, pitching a complete game while allowing 6 R on 7 hits.  At the plate, Osheiauna Phifer, Kate Currie, Sarah Cassidy, and Maddie Campbell each had one hit for Cleary. 

Cleary is now 7-13 overall, and will take on Point Park and Warner on Wednesday, March 2.  First pitch against Point Park is at 10:00 AM, and first pitch against Warner will be at 3:15 PM.