NAPLES, Fla. – The Mount Mary University softball team (1-7) lost a pair of games today at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic. MMU lost game one of their doubleheader 8-5 to Eastern Nazarene College (7-3), then dropped the second game 5-0 to Albion College (5-5).
Both teams attacked the pitchers early and often in game one. After two quick hits in the top of inning number one, the Lions got their first two runs of the game off a two RBI single to center field from Lauren Clements.
The Blue Angels answered right back in their turn in the first when a leadoff triple by senior Jess Runge (Freedom, Wis.) led to an RBI single by designated player Audrey Beck (Fr./Costa Mesa, Calif.) to make the score 2-1 Lions.
A leadoff walk and some small-ball setup ENC effectively in the top of the second inning. A quick triple by Lion Center Fielder Kayleen Garrick scored two runs for her squad. Then a Blue Angel error from backstop Haley Johnson (Fr./Germantown, Wis.) led to an additional run and setup a sacrifice fly that would make the game 6-1 ENC.
The Blue Angels battled right back in their turn in the second. After a single and a wild pitch Haley Jacquez (Fr./Oakley, Calif.) got MMU back in the run column. Two more singles for the Blue Angels setup an RBI single from Amelia Flint (Jr./Whitefish Bay, Wis.), which in turn gave way to Audrey Beck's two RBI double. MMU trailed by just one run after two completed innings.
After both teams stranded several runners, the Lions added two more runs making the score 8-5 and putting the game out of reach.
Hannah Harnsberger (Fr./Hillsboro, Ore.) was dealt the loss giving up 11 hits, walking six batters and surrendering eight earned runs.
Beck paced the offense in game one going 2-of-4 with a double and three RBIs. Teammates Payton Hintz (Jr./Almond, Wis.) and Madison Ledda (So./Tracy, Calif.) also enjoyed multi-hit games going 2-of-4 and 2-of-3 respectively.
Game two saw the Blue Angels get on base consistently yet again, but a few extra base hits by the Britons gave Albion the separation needed for the win.
Adrianna Nester (Fr./ Anaheim, Calif.) and the Blue Angels defense stranded 10 of the opposition's base runners throughout the second contest.
The Britons scored the first run of the game in the second inning after an MMU error turned led to a fielder's choice RBI for Rebecca Enders.
Albion added two more in the top of the fourth when a walk, two singles and a passed ball led to the Britons securing their lead.
MMU got their best scoring opportunity in the fourth when Audrey Beck reached on an error followed by a Lisa George (Fr./Naches, Wash.) single.
A two- run homerun in the top of the seventh gave the Britons a 5-0 lead, where the game would end. Rebecca Rodriguez finished game two with the win and the complete game shutout.
The Blue Angels finished the second game with five runners left on base and five team hits. Teammates Lisa George and Sidnee Turnage (Fr./ Hesperia, Calif.) each went 2-of- 3 to lead their team's offense.
The Blue Angels will pick up the action again tomorrow when they face Geneva (3-3) and Wheelock (0-4) in their doubleheader. Game one of tomorrow's doubleheader will have live statistical coverage available here. Check mtmaryathletics.com following the games for news, updates and box scores.
