WATERTOWN, Wis. – The Mount Mary University softball team extended their win-streak today as they defeated rival Maranatha Baptist University (7-24) in both games of their doubleheader. Today's Senior Day festivities also saw the Blue Angels (14-18) shutout the opposition 5-0 in game one, then a 15-5 victory to close out the day.
In both games, the Blue Angels utilized their bullpen early. Stephanie Norman (Fr./Noblesville, Ind.) got the start in game one, and went the first 3.0 innings scattering three hits, walking two and striking out three.
While Norman was slated as the pitcher on the score card, the Blue Angels broke the second inning open with three Blue Angel hits that translated to a 4-0 lead for MMU. Sidnee Turnage (Fr./Hesperia, Calif.) led off the inning with a frozen-rope line drive. The Blue Angels then loaded the bases when senior Jess Runge (Freedom, Wis.) promptly cleared them with a three-RBI triple to left center. Madison Ledda (So./Tracy, Calif.) followed that up with an RBI double.
Hannah Harnsberger (Fr./Hillsboro, Ore.) came out of the bullpen once again and nailed down the win as she is now 8-9 on the year. The rookie hurler went the final 4.0 innings giving up just one hit and striking out a season high seven batters.
MMU added one more insurance run in the bottom half of the sixth inning when senior Jess Runge scampered across the plate on a wild pitch making things 5-0.
Turnage led the offense in the first contest going 2-of-4 from the plate, despite multiple at-bats with the opposition showing an intentional walk early in the count, then attacking on 2-0. Turnage kept poised and did not fall victim to the strategy in either game.
In the second game the Blue Angels got an early 3-0 lead when Lisa George (Fr./Naches, Wash.) ripped a two-RBI single. It would be the only at-bat in the game for George in which she did not get hit by the pitch; she was hit three separate times in the game.
The Sabercats nipped away in the second inning with an RBI-single from Jessica Christensen. Then MBU tied things in the third when their leading hitters scored on back-to-back plays.
The Blue Angels jumped out in their turn in the third inning with eight runs off four hits, three walks, two hit-by-pitch (both George), and one Sabercat error. Jordan Green (Fr./The Woodlands, Texas) and Katie Arce (Fr./Cypress, Calif.) both had two RBIs in the frame.
Although the Sabercats added two runs in the top of the fourth inning, MMU added four of their own in their turn in the fourth. Turnage, Audrey Beck (Fr./Costa Mesa, Calif.) and Megan Shelley (Fr./Centralia, Wash.) each had RBIs in the inning. George also got an RBI, but did it the "hard way" as she was hit by the pitch with the bases loaded.
MMU got a 1-2-3 top of the fifth inning and ended the 15-5 game early and got their record setting 14th win of the season. All three MMU pitchers hit the circle in the second game, Norman received the win giving up two runs off three hits and one walk.
Beck and Arce both finished the game with two hits, three runs and two RBIs.
MMU will turn around for a doubleheader tomorrow in Chicago. Host Trinity International University will take on the Blue Angels at 12:00 pm on Saturday. Stay tuned to mtmaryathetlics.com for updates and box scores of this weekend's games.
