Cougars Drop Two On Final Day in Florida

(Kissimmee, FL)-- The Cleary Cougars softball team concluded their trip to Florida with a pair of games, dropping two games on their final day, as they fell to Point Park 6-2 in game 1, and 7-6 to the Calumet Crimson Wave .

In Game 1 vs. Point Park:  After Point Park hit a two-run home run in the 2nd inning of Mercedes Cole, Cleary tied the game in the top of the 4th inning.  Izzy Easton led things off with a single to right (Allison Lesonsky would pinch run), followed by a Allison Lesonsky stolen base to get into scoring position.  The next batter was Kate Currie, who doubled to left field to score Lesonsky.  Gabby Monreal would pinch run for Currie, and would be brought around to score two batters later when Izabell Estes doubled to right to tie the game.  Point Park would rally and take control of the game in the bottom of the 5th, when they scored the game's final four runs to take a 6-2 lead.  
Mercedes Cole suffered the loss, as she pitched 4 innings and allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 2 hits, while walking 3 and striking out 2.  Izzy Easton went 3/3 at the plate, while Izabell Estes went 2/3 with 1 RBI.

In Game 2 vs. Calumet:  Cleary would get on the scoreboard first, as Osheiauna Phifer led off the game with a hit by pitch and a stolen base.  Izzy Easton hit a seeing eye single to center field to bring Phifer home and give Cleary an early lead.  The Crimson Wave answered right back in the top of the next inning, as they would tie and take the lead with two runs in the inning.  In the 2nd inning, Maddie Campbell reached on a fielder's choice, and advanced to third when Courtney Ture hit a single to left field.  Two batters later, Osheiauna Phifer singled to left to score Campbell and tie the game at 2-2.  
The top of the 3rd resulted in another Calumet response, as they would score two times in the top half of the inning to reclaim their lead at 4-2.  The Cougars would strike back in the next half inning to tie the game.  Susie Bielecki led things off with a walk (Grace Pasterik would pinch-run).  The next batter was Izzy Easton, who singled once again to advance Pasterik into scoring position (Gabby Monreal would pinch run).  This brought up Kate Currie who singled to center to score Pasterik and cut into the Crimson Wave lead.  Two batters later, Maddie Campbell reached first on an error that scored Monreal from third base to tie the game.  In the bottom of the 5th and with the bases loaded, Mia Rzepka hit a single to center to score Courtney Ture to give Cleary the lead.  With the bases still loaded, Susie Bielecki grounded into a double play to end the inning, with Cleary leading 5-4.  The Crimson Wave answered, loading the bases themselves, and promptly hit a bases clearing triple to take a 7-5 lead in the top of the 6th.  Down to their final three outs and still trailing by two, Osheiauna Phifer and Mia Rzepka singled to bring the winning run to the plate with 1 out.  Susie Bielecki would single to center field to load the bases.  Ginelle Leslie hit a single just over the third basemen's glove to make the score 7-6 in favor of Calumet and the bases still loaded with one out.  The next batter was Kate Currie who popped up.  Izabell Estes would have to try and play the hero, but struck out to end the game.
Allison Lesonsky pitching 5 + innings, allowing 7 R (5 earned) on 9 hits and striking out 3.  Alexis Beeson pitched the final two innings, allowing 0 R and 0 hits.

Cleary finishes the road trip with a record of 6-13, and played 19 games in 14 days.  They will have some time off before making their Lake Trust Stadium debut on Friday, March 18, when the Trinity Christian Trolls come to town for a double-header.  First pitch in game one is set for 5:00 PM ET.