Softball Takes Down Aquinas in Game Two to Earn WHAC Split

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar softball team was back in action Thursday afternoon, and they played their first home games of the season against the Aquinas College Saints in a WHAC double-header.

In Game 1: The Saints struck first, scoring a pair of runs in the top of the second inning to take a 2-0 lead.  That lead grew to 3-0 in the third inning, when Aquinas hit an inside-the-park home run.  Cleary was able to get back into the game in the bottom of the fifth inning.  Ashleigh Tatara and Summer Smith led off the inning with back to back pinch hit singles.  After a sacrifice bunt advanced both runners, Mia Rzepka hit a double off the outfield wall to score a pair of runs to make the score 3-2.  After the Cougars couldn't score in the sixth, they would have their final three outs to make something happen.  Grace Pasterik would lead off the inning with a single, and advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt.  Pasterik would advance to third on savvy baserunning, when Mia Rzepka popped up in foul territory to the third baseman, as Pasterik was able to beat the Saints' defensive coverage.  Down to their final out, Olivia DeJohn came to the plate, but was unable to bring the tying run home, and the game ended 3-2.

Halle Dargie suffered the loss on the mound, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits, while striking out 3.  Cleary had seven hits in the game, with one apiece coming from Lauren Gannon, Mia Rzepka, Arianna Harden, Mckenzie Latshaw, Ashleigh Tatara, Summer Smith, and Grace Pasterik.  Rzepka had the team's lone RBIs.

In Game 2: After Aquinas scored a run in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead, the Cougars responded in kind with five runs in the bottom of the first inning.  Mia Rzepka would get on with a double, and Ashleigh Tatara reached after being hit by a pitch.  An Olivia DeJohn ground-rule double tied the game.  Two more runs scored on a fielding error by the Saints to give the Cougars the lead.  Maddie Bunkoske would hit a triple to left center to make it 4-1, and scored on another Aquinas error, to give the Cougars a 5-1 lead.  Aquinas got one run back in the second, cutting the lead to 5-2.  In the bottom of the second, a throwing error by Aquinas' pitcher allowed Lauren Gannon to score, and made the score 6-2 in favor of the Cougars.  Aquinas would score two runs in the fifth inning, and one more in the sixth to make the score 6-5, but Jade Kupsky and the Cougar defense were able to get a three up-three down inning in the seventh to secure the victory.

The game two win was the second all-time victory over Aquinas, and the first since April 27, 2022.

Haley Ludwig earned her third win of the season, as she allowed 4 runs (3 earned) on 9 hits in 5 innings pitched.  Jade Kupsky earned the six-out save, allowing 1 run on 1 hit in 2 innings thrown.  The Cougars had 5 hits in the game, with one apiece coming from Mia Rzepka, Olivia DeJohn, Arianna Harden, Maddie Bunkoske, and Mckenzie Latshaw.

The split now gives the Cougars a 6-12 record overall, and are 2-2 in the WHAC.  The Cougars will be back at Lake Trust Stadium on Saturday, March 29, when they host the Concordia Cardinals.  The game will be a White-Out Game, and the Cougars will honor and recognize the inaugural softball team as well as the 2018 USCAA national championship team as part of Women's History Month.  First pitch of game one is set for 1:00 PM.