MILWAUKEE – Today at Alverno Field, the Mount Mary University softball team lost two games in their doubleheader against host Alverno College (6-6). The Inferno took the first game 8-0, then won game two 11-2 making the Blue Angels 0-2 to start the 2018 season.
In MMU's first game of the season, a few early Blue Angel errors led to the Inferno taking the quick lead. Following a pair of walks in the second inning from starting pitcher Adrianna Nester (So./Anaheim, Calif.), an error charged to Nester on a popped bunt attempt led to Alverno scoring the first run of the game.
The Inferno added another unearned run in the third inning to solidify their lead. Following a one out error charged to third basemen Payton Hintz (Sr./Almond, Wis.), a subsequent popout resulted in the Inferno adding a two out run instead of the inning ending at that point.
The Blue Angels received their first hit of the season in the top of the fourth inning when Michaela Buchholz (So./Germantown, Wis.) ripped a shot to right field. Buchholz followed up the one-out single by stealing second base but was then left stranded.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Inferno added five runs off five hits: all singles. Starter Adrianna Nester clawed out of the jam with a much needed two out strikeout that caught opposing pitcher Oliva Schneider looking.
The Inferno added one more run in the bottom of the fifth inning to end things at 8-0. Nester finished with the loss after going 4.1 innings and surrendering six earned runs off nine hits and four walks. Nester caught the opposition guessing with nine strikeouts.
MMU began game two with a walk from their leadoff hitter Amelia Flint (Sr./Whitefish Bay, Wis.) and a one-out single from Adrianna Nester. A double-steal with two outs put both Flint and Nester in scoring position, but the runners were then left stranded.
Hannah Harnsberger (So./Hillsboro, Ore.) started the second game in the circle for the Blue Angels. After a leadoff single by the Inferno, MMU came back with two outs while the Inferno runner moved to third. A two-out single to left scored the game's first run, then a two-run homerun gave Alverno a 3-0 lead.
MMU responded in the third inning when Flint reached on the leadoff error and then used her speed to steal second base. Following two consecutive strikeouts by the Blue Angels, senior Payton Hintz stepped up and laced a single to right field scoring Flint from second and MMU's first run of the season.
Eight runs off of six singles and two doubles, led to the Inferno expanding the 3-1 lead to 11-1.
Payton Hintz hit in the second run for the Blue Angels in the top of the fifth inning. The third basemen hit a shot to right field after a pair of walks and a fielder's choice opened up the inning. The RBI single for Hintz scored Buchholz making the score 11-2, the eventual final.
Harnsberger was dealt the loss in the circle after pitching 4.0 innings and giving up 11 earned runs off of 12 hits and three walks.
Hintz led the offense for the Blue Angels with two RBIs in game two. Teammate Melanie Coffey (So./Cedarburg, Wis.) recorded the sole extra-base hit with a double in the fourth inning.
Following today's doubleheader, the Blue Angels will prepare for their six-game stint in Clermont, Fla. beginning Sun. Mar. 25. MMU will first take on Middleburry (2-0) at 8:00 am Central Daylight Time, then the Blue Angels will take on Thomas College (4-4) at 2:00 pm CDT. For updates, news and scores, check mtmaryathletics.com.