CAPE CORAL, Fla. – The Mount Mary University softball team (2-2) split their doubleheader Sunday at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic. The Blue Angels lost to the Swarthmore College Garnet in their first game 11-2, but then defeated New Jersey City University in their second contest 7-3.
In the first game, MMU had another rocky start. The second Garnet batter reached via error, stole second, and then moved to third on a wild pitch. Swarthmore ended the top half 2-0, and would never surrender the lead from that point on.
"A big difference from last year's team to this team is the mindset." Coach Tim Edwards continued, "Last year if we got behind a few runs early, you could see the players' body language change instantly. But this team never quit and kept going at it."
The proof is in the play, the Blue Angels did not quit and battled the full seven innings against Swarthmore, and mustered two runs off of five hits.
After a slow starting game one, the Blue Angels came out hungry for the day's finale. A little patience initially turned into a two run opening inning against the Gothic Knights. Nikki Festge (Jr./Menomonee Falls, Wis.) did her part in the circle allowing only two earned runs and going the full seven innings.
Ashley Contreras (Fr./College Station, Texas) continued her hot hitting in the 80 degree weather. The right fielder finished with two fence touching doubles, two RBIs and a run scored.
MMU also got some hefty production out of their third spot in the lineup, as Nicole Weggen (Jr./Menomonee Falls, Wis.) went two for four with a pair of RBIs.
As the Blue Angels continue their gritty play, they begin the 2015 season with the best record of any MMU softball team since joining the NCAA ranks. The young team has surprised a few opponents already, and are not done yet.
A tiny bit of rest for the Blue Angels, then it is back to work Monday March 9th. The first game of the doubleheader at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic will feature Bridgewater College with first pitch at 8:00 am CST. Then game two will pit MMU against St. Joseph's College (Maine) at 12:00 pm CST.
