Softball Wraps Up Florida Trip With Split on Final Day

(Melbourne, FL)-- After losing their first game of the day, the Cleary Cougar softball team ended on a high note, as they will return to Michigan after winning their final game of the trip.

In Game 1 vs. Trinity Christian:  The Trolls of Trinity Christian scored three runs  in the top of the fourth inning to take the lead.  Olivia DeJohn would lead off the inning with an infield single, and advanced on a throwing error to get in scoring position.  After a sacrifice bunt, DeJohn was advanced to third base.  An executed suicide squeeze by Jenna Wagenschutz would score DeJohn, and make the score 3-1.  After Wagenschutz stole second, she would advance to third on a wild pitch, and later came around to score on a wild pitch to make the score 3-2, but that would be the end of the rally for the Cougars.

The Trolls would add two runs to retake the three run advantage in the top of the fifth inning.  Still trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the seventh, Mckenzie Latshaw hit a pinch-hit single to lead off the inning.  Sierra Diegel would re-enter the game as a runner for Latshaw, and would score on a fielding and throwing error during the next at-bat.  Cleary would get the tying run to the plate with two outs after Lauren Gannon and Maddie Bunkoske both reached base safely with two outs to bring up Olivia DeJohn.  DeJohn would hit a rocket that was eyeing the right-center gap, but the Trolls' second baseman made a leaping grab to rob DeJohn and the Cougars, and ended the game.

Halle Dargie suffered the loss, allowing 4 runs on 4 hits with 5 strikeouts in 4 innings pitched.  Lauren Gannon and Mia Rzepka each had two hits for the Cougars in the game.

In Game 2 vs. Bethel:  The Pilots would score a run in the bottom of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead.  Cleary would answer with three runs in the top of the second.  Arianna Harden hit a one-out double after Bethel's outfield dove and wasn't able to make the grab.  The next batter, Sierra Diegel, would hit an infield single, and Grace Pasterik walked to load the bases with one out.  A fielding error would score Cleary's first run.  The next batter, Mckenzie Latshaw, hit a single up the middle to score two runs, and gave the Cougars the lead.  After Bethel scored another run in the bottom of the third, Cleary got the insurance run they needed in the top of the sixth.  Arianna Harden hit a fly ball to the right-center gap again, and it was just out of reach of the Pilot centerfielder, allowing Harden to reach third with a triple.  Grace MacCaughan would come up with the hit to left field to score Harden, and made the score 4-2.  That would be all pitcher Haley Ludwig needed, as she went three up-three down in the bottom of the seventh to secure the victory.

Haley Ludwig earned her first win of the season in a complete game effort, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits in 7 innings.  Arianna Harden went 3/3 with 2 runs, while Lauren Gannon went 2/4 with 1 run scored.

Cleary returns to Michigan with a record of 4-10.  The Cougars will make their Lake Trust Stadium season debut on Thursday, March 20, when they host the University of Olivet Comets in a non-conference doubleheader.  First pitch of game one is set for 1:00 PM.