Glendale, WI- Senior day 2024 turned out to be a most celebratory occasion for the Blue Angel softball team. Two easy victories bookended a ceremony in which Brianna Lupa, Brianna Ecker, Mary DeFore, Alyssa Becker, and Jodie Penman were honored for their contributions to MMU softball. With the 13-0 and 12-1 wins the Blue Angels have now won seven of their last ten and are rolling toward a strong finish to the season.
Game one was all Blue Angels from the start. Prior to being recognized as the most decorated pitcher in MMU softball history, Brianna Lupa pitched three no hit innings, she also contributed at the plate with 2 hits and 2 runs batted in. The Blue Angels had fifteen hits in the 13-0 win, Brianna Ecker and Micaela Gonzalez had three hits each and Katelyn McCallum knocked in four runs.
In the day's second contest, a close game seemed possible as Maranatha took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the 3rd inning. Then a wild play seemed to spark Mount Mary. With Aariana Kraut on 1st base. Crystal Peterson hit a ground ball to 3rd base, the throw by the Maranatha infielder soared all the way into right field, allowing not only Kraut to score but the speedy Peterson came all the way around the bases. The two run scoring error gave Mount Mary a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish on the day.
MMU would add another run in the third on a Katelyn McCallum sacrifice fly and then the MMU offense exploded in the 4th inning. They would score 9 runs in the inning to take a 12-1 lead, Taylor Hames had a two-run double, Kraut, Mary DeFore, Alexandria Eads, Brianna Mendez and Naomi Gomez all knocked in runs in throughout the 4th inning.
The Blue Angels would hold MBU scoreless in the top of the 5th to secure the 12-1 victory in game two. Mary DeFore went the distance in the circle, striking out seven. Eads and Kraut each had two hits in the game to pace the Blue Angel offense.
MMU (8-19) won all six contests on the season against Maranatha and have won seven of their last ten games overall. It was a fine senior day for Lupa, Ecker, DeFore, Becker, and Penman, all who contributed in different ways to the two-game sweep. The Blue Angels will look to stay hot when they take the field again in Glendale on Sunday, April 21st. Mount Mary will host the Inferno of Alverno College in a doubleheader. Games are scheduled for 11 am and 1 pm and all live coverage is available on www.mtmaryathletics.com
