Softball Picks Up Pair of Wins

(Kissimmee, FL)-- The Cleary Cougars picked up a pair of victories on their second to last day in Florida, with both games coming down to the wire, as they defeated the Point Park Pioneers 1-0 in game 1, and the Warner Royals 2-1 in game 2.

In Game 1 vs. Point Park:  After two scoreless innings, Courtney Ture hit a home run to straight-away centerfield to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.  As it would turn out, that would be the only run of the game, and Alex Pace cruised on the mound en route to her first victory of the season.  Pace pitched a complete game, allowing 0 R on 2 hits, while walking and striking out 3. She is now 1-2 on the season.
Ture was impressive at the plate, going 3/4 with the home run and RBI.  The home run was her first career home run.  Sarah Cassidy was 2/3, while Maddie Campbell and Grace Pasterik each added one hit for Cleary.

In Game 2 vs. Warner: After Warner scored in the top of the 1st inning to take a 1-0 lead, neither team was able to cross home plate until Cleary was able to in the bottom of the 6th inning.  After the first two Cougars grounded out, Susie Bielecki hit a 2-out single (Grace Pasterik would pinch-run).  The next batter was Ginelle Leslie who got on base after being hit by a pitch to bring up Sarah Cassidy, who reached 1st on an error that scored Pasterik to tie the game.  In the bottom of the 7th with the game still tied, Maddie Campbell got things going on a single to left field, and Courtney Ture followed that with a bunt single to get Campbell in scoring position.  Molly Wheeler would reach 1st on an error to load the bases with no outs.  Osheiauna Phifer would ground into a fielder's choice that kept the bases loaded with 1 out, bringing up Mia Rzepka.  Rzepka was able to draw a walk, earning the Cougars a walk-off victory.
Courtney Ture continued her strong day, going 2/3 at the plate, while Osheiauna Phifer, Susie Bielecki, and Maddie Campbell each had 1 hit.  Sonya Terleckyj earned the victory to improve to 3-3, going a complete game and allowing 1 R on 3 hits, and striking out 3.

Cleary improves to 9-13 on the season, and will conclude their stay in Florida with two more games on Thursday, March 3, when they take on Point Park at 12:15 PM and Calumet College of St. Joseph at 2:30 PM.