Softball

FRANKLIN, Wis. - Mount Mary University dropped a softball double-header Sunday afternoon at the Rock Sports Complex, falling to host Cardinal Stritch University 2-0, and 6-1.

While the Blue Angels fell to 0-8 all-time against their crosstown NAIA foe, the day was highlighted by several strong pitching outings from both dugouts.

GAME 1: STRITCH 2, MMU 0

The Blue Angels had a leadoff batter reach base in each of the first three inning in the series opener, but couldn't quite find the clutch at-bat to push one across in what proved to be a pitchers duel.

Junior Aislinn Strusz (Aurora, Ill.) got things going early with a leadoff single to right field in the first, and freshman Sam Allen (Rolling Meadows, Ill.) added a full-count walk to put the pressure on early. The Wolves' defense responded with a strike-em-out-throw-em-out on a snap play to third to snag Strusz looking to advance, and a second strikeout ended the threat.

In the home half of the opening stanza, Stritch used a leadoff walk, sacrifice bunt, and a single to earn first-and-third with one out. A play at second base on an attempted steal drew the throw, scoring the game opening run. After loading the bases, freshman pitcher Brianna Lupa (Plano, Ill.) induced an easy pop up and a gritty strikeout to strand three Wolves on the bases.

Junior Taylor Hienbuecher (Sycamore, Ill.) singled through the right side in the top of the second, and senior Hannah Harnsberger (Hillsboro, Ore.) earned a free pass via a hit-by-pitch. Sophomore Kaitlyn Gilpin (Lyons, Ill.) executed a sac bunt to advance the runners, but CSU hurler bore down with two consecutive strikeouts to strand the Blue Angels once again.

Strusz walked to lead off the third and a Lupa rip down the right field line had MMU at first and third with two outs, but again the Wolves escaped with a groundout. CSU manufactured another run off a pair of hits in the bottom of the fifth, but the Blue Angels went quietly in the sixth and seventh as the hosts secured the win.

Despite the losing decision in the circle, Lupa had another strong showing for the Blue Angels, giving up just the pair of runs off four hits and two walks. She added five strikeouts, bringing her season total up to 19 in five starts.

GAME 2: STRITCH 6, MMU 1

After CSU posted a run in its half of the first, sophomore Brianna Ecker (Fond du Lac, Wis.) led things off with a single up the middle. An unconventional 3-6-4 double play ended that threat, and the Blue Angels were held hitless until Harnsberger picked up her first hit of the day with a single in the top of the fifth.

Meanwhile, Stritch took advantage of some MMU defensive blunders and posted a four-spot in the bottom of the second, and back-to-back doubles added another run in the fourth.

MMU pushed its first run of the day across in the top of the sixth using a Gilpin walk, followed by a Strusz single to start the two-out rally. Allen roped one into right center to load the bases, and Ecker earned a gutsy full-count walk to finally put one on the board.

Lupa, who came on in relief late in the sixth, blasted a deep double to right in the top of the seventh, but the Blue Angels would fall, 6-1.

It was a platoon game in the circle for game two, with sophomore Jalyssa Rivera (Waukesha, Wis.) earning her first start of the year. While she took the loss, Rivera gave up no hits and none of the three runs given up in her 1.1 innings of work were earned. Gilpin stepped in for four full innings of work, doling out four hits and three runs—one earned—and Lupa gave up one hit while securing the final two outs of the game.

ON DECK FOR MMU

Mount Mary will venture to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point this upcoming Thursday for a twin bill starting at 1 p.m.

Can't make the matchup? Check out the schedule page for links to Thursday's event coverage.