Softball Rallies in Game Two to Earn Split With Lawrence Tech

(Farmington Hills, MI)-- After Mother Nature decided to make things complicated last weekend, the Cleary Cougar softball team was able to finally play their opening series of WHAC play, with a pair of games against the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils at The Hawk.

In Game 1:  An Olivia DeJohn two-out double followed by a Mia Rzepka single would give the Cougars an early 1-0 lead.  Jenna Wagenschutz would reach on an error, allowing Rzepka to score, and the Cougars led 2-0 after the first inning.  The Blue Devils would get one run back in the bottom of the first to make the score 2-1.  In the top of the third, Mia Rzepka hit a two-out single, and then stole second to start the Cougar rally.  Jenna Wagenschutz drew a walk, and Maddie Bunkoske hit an infield single to load the bases for Arianna Harden.  Harden would single, scoring Rzepka, and giving the Cougars a 3-1 lead.  After LTU hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth to make it 3-2, the Cougars would take that same score into the bottom of the seventh inning.  Disaster would strike for the Cougars, as LTU was able to load the bases, and hit a two-out double to score the walk-off run, ending the game with a 4-3 score.

Halle Dargie threw a complete game in a losing effort, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits in 6.2 innings pitched.  Mia Rzepka and Arianna Harden each had 2 hits to lead the Cougars in the game.

In Game 2: Mia Rzepka hit a double to lead off the second inning, and after advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt, scored when Maddie Bunkoske singled her home.  In the third inning, Lauren Gannon scored when Olivia DeJohn tripled to right center to give the Cougars a 2-1 advantage.  After back to back singles by Maddie Bunkoske and Arianna Harden, Gabrielle Monreal singled up the middle to score Bunkoske, and Cleary held a 3-0 lead.  The Blue Devils scored their only run in the bottom of the fourth inning, but the Cougars answered in the top of the fifth.  Mia Rzepka doubled down the left field line with two outs to bring up Jenna Wagenschutz.  Wagenschutz would single to left to score Rzepka, and gave the Cougars the 4-1 lead.  Jade Kupsky was called on in relief, and sealed the victory for the Cougars.

Haley Ludwig would earn the victory, allowing 1 run on 5 hits in 4 innings pitched.  Jade Kupsky threw 3 innings of 1-hit softball to earn the save.  Mia Rzepka, Maddie Bunkoske, and Arianna Harden each had two hits in the game.

Cleary is now 5-11 overall, and 1-1 in the WHAC.  The Cougars will make their Lake Trust Stadium debut on Thursday, March 27, when they host the Aquinas College Saints for a WHAC doubleheader.  First pitch of game one is scheduled for 3:00 PM.

*Picture Courtesy of Ryan Wagenschutz*