Cleary Drops Pair to Goshen

(Goshen, IN)-- The Cleary Cougars softball team hit the road to Michiana to play a pair of games with the Goshen Maple Leafs, but were unable to bring back a victory, as the hosts swept the Cougars 9-3, and 11-9 Sunday afternoon.

In Game 1:  Goshen jumped all over Cleary right off the bat, as the Maple Leafs scored seven runs over the first two innings to take a commanding 7-0 lead.  In the top of the third inning, Osheiauna Phifer singled, then stole second with one out to bring up Mia Rzepka.  Rzepka would double to left to score Phifer and cut into the Goshen lead.  The next batter was Susie Bielecki, who singled to center to advance Rzepka to third base.  Izzy Easton would single into left field to score Rzepka, and the Cougars would now trail 7-2.  After Sarah Cassidy popped out, Kate Currie singled to left field to load the bases for Maddie Campbell, who singled to center field and scored Bielecki from third base, but Easton would be ruled out trying to score from second.  After a scoreless fourth inning for both teams, Goshen would score the game's final two runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 9-3 lead.
Sonya Terleckyj took the loss on the mound, allowing 5 runs on 7 hits in 1 inning of work.  Alexis Beeson pitched the game's final 5 innings, allowing 3 runs on 10 hits.  Kate Currie and Susie Bielecki each had 2 hits for the Cougars, while Osheiauana Phifer, Mia Rzepka, Izzy Easton,a nd Maddie Campbell all had 1 hit.

In Game 2:  Susie Bielecki hit a home run with two outs in the top of the first inning to give the Cougars an early 1-0 lead, but the Maple Leafs would answer in the bottom half of the inning with a grand slam home run to take a 4-1 lead.  Cleary would resond in the top of the second, with Kate Currie leading off the inning with a solo home run to center field.  A Maddie Campbell walk and a Jenna Wagenschutz singled to left field would put a runner in scoring position to bring up Courtney Ture, who singled to right to load the bases.  Osheiauana Phifer drew an RBI walk, and Mia Rzepka singled to left center to tie the game.  A Susie Bielecki sacrifice fly would score Ture, and a throwing error would clear the bases and give the Cougars a 7-4 lead.  That lead would be shortlived, as Goshen would storm back to tie the game, and take the lead in the bottom of the second inning at 8-7.  In the top of the third inning, Maddie Campbell led off the inning with a single to right, and advanced to second on an error.  Grace Pasterik would single to center field, followed by a sacrifice bunt to advance Pasterik and Campbell to scoring position.  Courtney Ture would tie the game with a fielder's choice, and one run would score on a Maple Leaf error.  Osheiauna Phifer would ground out, but brought home Pasterik to give the Cougars a 9-8 lead.  That score would remain until the bottom of the sixth inning, when the Maple Leafs scored three runs to take an 11-9 lead, which they held on to to secure the victory.
Allison Lesonsky took the loss in relief, pitching 3.2 innings, and allowing 2 runs on 9 hits while striking out 3.  Jenna Wagenschutz went 2/3 at the plate, while Osheiauna Phifer and Susie Bielecki each chipped in 2 RBI.

Cleary drops to 11-17, and will take on the Bethel Pilots at Lake Trust Stadium on Thursday, March 24.  First pitch of game 1 will take place at 3:30 PM, and the first 50 fans will receive a free Cleary t-shirt.