MACON, Ga. – The Mount Mary University Blue Angels lost a pair of games today at the Great South Athletic Conference postseason softball tournament. MMU first lost 15-0 against the No. 1 seed Salem College, then dropped their second game of the day against Wesleyan (Ga.) 2-0 to conclude the Blue Angels postseason play.
Game one, the Spirits started off the top of the first inning hitting Jess Runge (Jr./Freedom, Wis.) with a pitch inside setting up MMU with their first baserunner. The Spirits retired the next three batters, then broke out for four runs in their turn in the first. After an error at shortstop, the Spirits finished with only one of those runs being earned.
The biggest offensive inning for the Blue Angels came in the top of the second when rookie Madison Ledda (Fr./Tracy, Calif.) hit a one out single and had that followed up with a fence hitting single by Payton Hintz (So./Almond, Wis.).
The Spirits added three more runs in the second, then five more in the third inning. With two more unearned runs for Salem in the fourth, the 15-0 score ended the game in the fifth inning after the Blue Angels turn.
Ashley Contreras (So./College Station, Texas) was dealt the loss in the first game going 4.0 innings, surrendering 14 hits, nine earned runs, while striking out two.
Payton Hintz led the offense for MMU going 2-for-2 at the plate with a pair of singles in game one.
Game two showcased a pair of solid pitching performances as MMU played Wesleyan (Ga.) in an elimination game. The Blue Angels again started the game with a leadoff baserunner, but could not get Runge across the plate.
In inning two, the Wolves worked a bit of "small ball" after leading off the inning with a walk and a sac bunt. After Alyssa Flowers knocked in the first run, Bela Bravo brought the in Flowers making it 2-0.
MMU's lone hit came off the bat Payton Hintz as she connected with her third hit of the day one a deep double to right center.
Nikki Festge (Sr./Menomonee Falls, Wis.) was pegged with the loss going 6.0 innings scattering seven hits, two earned runs, while walking five.
After the second loss in the GSAC postseason tournament, that will officially close the books on conference tourney for MMU. However, due to the hectic spring weather, the Blue Angels will now get ready to play Maranatha Baptist University for their final game of the 2015-16 season. The doubleheader will be scheduled for Tue. May 3, with first pitch set for 5:00 pm in Watertown, Wis. as MBU will play host in the finale.
