Softball Drops Both Games at NCAA D1 Oakland

(Rochester, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar softball team made the short trip to Oakland County to take on the NCAA D1 Golden Grizzlies of Oakland University

In Game 1: The Golden Grizzlies scored two runs in the first inning, and four more in the bottom of the third to take a 6-0 lead over the Cougars.  Cleary would get a run on the board in the top of the fourth.  Maddie Bunkoske drew a one-out walk to get on base.  After a fly-out, Jenna Wagenschutz doubled to left center to score Bunkoske for Cleary's only run in the game.  Oakland would add three more runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 9-1 lead, and end the game.

Haley Ludwig suffered the loss pitching for the Cougars, as she allowed 9 runs (5 earned) in 4.1 innings pitched.  Jenna Wagenschutz had the lone hit and RBI for the Cleary offense.

In Game 2: Oakland exploded for four runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 4-0 lead.  In the top of the second inning, Maddie Bunkoske reached on a fielding error and advanced to scoring position.  After advancing to third base on a groundout, Gabrielle Monreal grounded out to the second baseman, but it was enough to score Bunkoske and get the Cougars on the board.  In the top of the fourth, Jenna Wagenschutz would score on an RBI single by Gabrielle Monreal to make the score 4-2.  The Golden Grizzlies would tack on two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, and held the Cougars scoreless over the next two innings to take the game 6-2.

Halle Dargie suffered the loss for the Cougars, allowing 6 runs (3 earned) in 6 innings of action.  Cleary had four hits, with Jenna Wagenschutz, Summer Smith, Gabrielle Monreal, and Sierra Diegel having one each.

Cleary drops to 8-16 overall, and will return to action on Saturday when they host the Defiance College Yellow Jackets at Lake Trust Stadium.  First pitch of game one is scheduled for 1:00 PM.