WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Mount Mary University softball team (7-21) swept host Maranatha Baptist University (1-24) in a doubleheader Saturday. The Blue Angels took game one 5-0 and defeated the Sabercats 6-5 in the day's finale.
The first game showcased one of the best collegiate games in the young career of Ashley Contreras (Fr./College Station, Texas). In both the circle and the plate, the rookie took control. At the rubber, Contreras spaced out just six hits, struck out eight batters, and made history as the rookie not only received her first NCAA complete game shutout, but finished the first MMU shutout in the NCAA era. In the batter's box, Contreras went 3-4 with a double, a run scored, and two RBIs.
Marissa Rechlicz (Fr./West Allis, Wis.) saw her first NCAA RBIs with a clutch two out single in the top of the third inning to give MMU the early 3-0 lead.
In the second affair, the Sabercats jumped out in front right away. Nikki Festge (Jr./Menomonee Falls, Wis.) got the start in the circle, and after the defense gave up a leadoff runner on an infield error, Festge walked two straight to load up the bases. A base clearing double by Kelli Fox gave the Sabercats an early 3-0 lead.
Going into crunch time, the top of the seventh down 5-0, the Blue Angels offense suddenly just started to click. A little patience at the plate and an error by the defense set MMU up for one of the biggest comebacks in school history. After a walk turned RBI by Nakia Gray (Fr./Milwaukee, Wis.) made it 5-1, Shandrieka Richardson (Jr./Atlanta, Ga.) smashed a line drive right back to the pitcher who promptly doubled up Gray for the second out of the inning.
With two outs Molly Peck (Fr./Milwaukee, Wis.) was hit by the pitch to load up the bases. Three consecutive at-bats by Contreras, Katie Edwards (Sr./Mackinaw, Ill.), and Nicole Weggen (Jr./Menomonee Falls, Wis.) led to four runs and the tie. Payton Hintz (Fr./Almond, Wis.) kept things going in her second at-bat of the inning with a single that loaded up the bases for Michelle Argenzio (Jr./Brookfield, Wis.) who got the go-ahead RBI via walk.
Even though the Festge hit the second batter in the seventh inning, the Blue Angels still retired the Sabercats one-two-three to finish the amazing four run deficit with two outs comeback.
After Saturday's battle, the Blue Angels will take on Rockford University on Wednesday April 22nd. The location is still TBD, but first pitch is set for 3:00 pm.
