MILWAUKEE – The Mount Mary University softball team split their two-game series today at Alverno Field. The Blue Angels (7-20) lost game one 10-2 to the Inferno (12-24), then the Blue Angels bounced back to take game two 7-4.
The Blue Angels struck first in game one against the Inferno. After a pair of walks had runners at first and second with one out in the opening frame, pitcher Haley Smalley (Jr./Columbus, Ind.) riffled a single up the middle of the infield for an RBI to make the score 1-0.
The Inferno answered back in the bottom half of the first. After the leadoff batter struck out looking, the Inferno connected on three consecutive hits to finally tie the game on an RBI single to center field.
Both teams were held off the scoreboard until the bottom of the third inning. The Inferno struck with four team hits, but a combination of two MMU errors, game Alverno six unearned runs. Three of those runs coming on an RBI double to right center by Sara Redlin.
After the Blue Angels reached base by an Alverno error, a single and sacrifice bunt put the runner at third base. With two outs, Karley Marcelina-Vega (Fr./Milwaukee, Wis.) delivered with a single to left field that scored the runner and made the score 7-2.
The Inferno responded in the bottom half of the inning by adding three runs off three hits and one MMU error. The score was 10-2 after a single down the left line by Sam Korn, after the Blue Angels were unable to add runs in the top of the fifth, the eight-run was triggered.
Smalley was dealt the loss in the decision. She finished 4.0 innings in the circle surrendering 10 runs, just two earned runs off 11 hits.
Marcelina-Vega led MMU's offense in the first game going 2-of-2 from the dish with an RBI.
Adrianna Nester (JR./Anaheim, Calif.) received the start in the circle in game two today at Alverno Field. The Inferno were able to take the early lead in the bottom half of the first after a runner from third scored on a two-out fielding error by MMU.
After neither team could add any runs for the next two innings, the Blue Angels took the lead in fourth. After senior Amelia Flint (Whitefish Bay, Wis.) drilled a one-out double to left center, a hit-by-pitch put two runners on for MMU. Then after the Blue Angels struck out at the next at-bat, back-to-back walks tied the score at 1-1.
Then the Blue Angels put together three consecutive two-out hits. Haley Jacquez (Jr./Oakley, Calif.) gave MMU the lead with a single through the left side of the infield. Then after a Nester RBI-single, Taylor Hienbuecher doubled to right center to clear the bags and give MMU a 6-1 lead.
MMU added one more insurance run in the top of the seventh inning. Senior Amelia Flint started off inning with a home run to right field. The lefty-power threat really demonstrated her might by pushing the ball to opposite field for her second homerun of the season.
The Inferno did not give up in the final inning of play. After two walks, the Inferno strung together four base hits which scored three runs. With the score 7-4, Alverno had runners first and second with the tying run at the plate. But junior hurler Adrianna Nester got the final batter to pop-up to first base to give MMU their seventh win of the season.
Nester is now 1-7 on the year after getting the win. She finished the complete game 7.0 innings, surrendering four runs, three earned runs, off four hits while striking out three.
Multiple Blue Angels finished with multi-hit games. Jacquez went a perfect 4-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base, Flint finished 2-for-4 with a double, HR and an RBI, and teammate Taylor Hienbuecher went 2-for-4 with a double and a team high three RBIs.
After this weekend's home games have already been cancelled due to inclement weather, the Blue Angels will hope to return to the diamond Mon. Apr. 29 at Trinity International. The doubleheader will begin at 3:00 pm. For info and box scores, check out MtMaryAthletics.com.