Softball's Bats Come Alive in Game Two to Earn Space Coast Games Split

(Melbourne, FL)-- After a day off, the Cleary Cougar softball team returned to action with another doubleheader at the Space Coast Games.

In Game 1 vs. Saint Francis (IN):  USF was able to score one run in the top of the first, and added two more runs in the top of the third inning to take a 3-0 lead.  In the bottom of the fifth inning, Grace Pasterik hit a two-out double down the left field line, and scored on the next at bat when Lauren Gannon singled to center field.  Saint Francis would get their run back in the top of the sixth, and would hold the Cougars scoreless to finish the game, handing Cleary a 4-1 defeat.

Haley Ludwig would suffer the loss pitching, as she allowed 4 runs on 7 hits in 5.2 innings.  Cleary had four hits in the game coming from Lauren Gannon, Arianna Harden, Sierra Diegel, and Grace Pasterik.

In Game 2 vs. Florida Memorial: After a nearly two hour delay due to the weather, Cleary's game against the Lions of Florida Memorial got underway at 6:50 PM, and the Cougars started the game off with an offensive explosion from the first pitch.  A leadoff single by Lauren Gannon, who would score on a suicide squeeze sacrifice bunt by Jenna Wagenschutz gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead.  Wagenschutz, who had reached on a fielder's choice, later scored when Mia Rzepka doubled to right center, giving the Cougars a 2-0 lead through the first inning.  The lead grew to eight runs in the top of the third, after Cleary scored six more runs.  Jenna Wagenschutz scored on an Olivia DeJohn single to start things off.  Arianna Harden would single to score Olivia DeJohn and Mia Rzepka, and Harden later scored on an error by the Lions' first baseman to make it 6-0.  Mckenzie Latshaw would single to score Sierra Diegel, and then scored when Grace Pasterik doubled down the left field line to make it 8-0.  Cleary added three more runs in the fourth inning, one on an error, and two on a two-run RBI double by Arianna Harden that scored Olivia DeJohn and Mia Rzepka to make it 11-0 in favor of the Cougars.  Cleary's final run came in the top of the fifth when Mia Rzepka reached safely on a bases loaded fielder's choice that scored Grace Pasterik.  Cleary would get the three outs in the bottom of the fifth, and won the game 12-0 by virtue of the run-rule.

Halle Dargie had her second straight strong outing, throwing a complete game two-hitter, and walked one, while striking out one.  Arianna Harden led CU with a 2/3 performance at the plate with 4 RBI.  Eight out of the nine starting field batters recorded a hit in the game.

The win now gives Cleary a 3-7 record on the season.  The Cougars will be back in action on Thursday, when they play two more games at the Space Coast Complex.  Cleary will play the Marian Knights at 4:45 PM, and will then play the Hannibal-Lagrange Trojans at 7:00 PM.