FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Mount Mary University split games on their 2015 opening day at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic. The Blue Angels (1-1) first defeated the University of Minnesota-Morris (0-1) in a 5-4 game, then lost game two to Alverno College (1-1) in a five inning game 8-0.
For the first time since joining NCAA Division III, the Blue Angels softball team won their season opener. It was a warm day down in Florida, and the Blue Angels bats started the day off even hotter. An error to begin the game by Minn.-Morris, but a double by Nicole Weggen (Jr./Menomonee Falls, Wis.) got things rolling early. MMU went on to score three runs in the first, and would never give back the lead.
Leading the charge in game one was Ashley Contreras (Fr./College Station, Texas). Contreras went four innings and gave up seven hits and only one earned run. She also went 2-4 at the plate in game one to help her team past the Cougars. After Nikki Festge (Jr./ Menomonee Falls, Wis.) closed the door to get her first NCAA save, MMU celebrated their first win of the year.
Game two had the opposite beginning for the Blue Angels. The bats cooled down, and the mental mistakes got to MMU early on. Festge started in the circle against the Inferno, but with three first inning errors turning into three quick runs for Alverno, MMU had an uphill battle right away. Once the nerves settled, the Blue Angels got back into the groove a bit. The Blue Angels held Alverno hitless until the top of the third, and did not commit another error until the fourth when AC brought in six runs and went up 8-0 to put all the pressure on MMU for the last two innings. The Blue Angels could not get things going, and Alverno pitcher Olivia Schneider her first win of the year, and her first no-hitter of the year. Festge was pegged with the loss.
Eventhough the Blue Angels were held hitless in game two, coach Tim Edwards was in good spirits, "we made a few mistakes early on against Alverno, but I think our team played very well overall today. I am proud of them!"
After a quick rest, the Blue Angels will be ready to go as they play two more games Sunday March 8th, with the first game against Swarthmore College at 8:00 am CST. Right after, MMU will play New Jersey City at 10:00 am CST at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic.
