STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Mount Mary University softball team was swept in its Thursday double-header against University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point at the Pointers' McCarty Memorial Field, 4-0 and 11-1 in five innings.
The wins pushed UWSP's season record to an impressive 11-4 overall, while Mount Mary fell to 1-10 on the year. The Pointers also improved to 3-0 against MMU in the all-time series, revisiting the matchup for the first time since 2018.
Game 1: UWSP 4, MMU 0
A three-run first inning from the hosts proved more than enough offense as the Pointers held MMU to just two hits in the opening frame of Thursday's double-header.
UWSP showed offensive aggression early, leading off with a triple down the right field line. The Pointers would earn its first runs on another base hit to right, and a throw to second picked off a steal attempt, but not before UWSP added a third score in the opening frame.
From there, freshman Brianna Lupa (Plano, Ill./Plano) kept most of the Pointer threats in check, stranding all but one runner the rest of the game. UWSP would add an unearned run in the fifth and eventually load the bases with one out, but a timely Lupa strikeout followed by a flyout to junior Taylor Hienbuecher (Sycamore, Ill./Sycamore) ended the inning.
Lupa broke up the no-hit bid in the top of the fourth, lining a shot off the centerfield fence for a two-out double. Freshman Sam Allen (Rolling Meadows, Ill./Rolling Meadows) recorded the only other MMU hit in the top of the sixth as the Blue Angels had just three total baserunners for the game.
In the circle, Lupa recorded her sixth complete game with Thursday's result, giving up just two earned runs off nine hits and two walks. She also struck out five and stranded eight Pointers on base throughout her 6.0 innings of work.
Game 2: UWSP 11, MMU 1 (5 Innings)
The Blue Angels were once again limited to just two hits in the second act of the shortened double-header, those coming from Allen and senior Hannah Harnsberger (Hillsboro, Ore./Jesuit).
After a three-run first inning for UWSP, Harnsberger broke up another Pointer no-hit bid with a single up the middle in the top of the second inning, but the Blue Angels wouldn't score until the top of the third.
After a UWSP pitching change to start the inning, junior Lauren Nylund (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) earned a leadoff walk and quickly advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches. Junior Aislinn Strusz (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora) earned a walk as well, then lured a throw from the Pointer defense on a steal attempt as Nylund scurried home. Allen then responded with a single past the outstretched glove at third, and Lupa secured an ensuing walk to earn two on with one out. However, a fly to right and a dribbler to the first baseman would end the threat.
The Pointers promptly responded with a seven-run, five-hit inning of their own to put the game away.
Sophomore Jalyssa Rivera (Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha North) took her second loss in as many starts in 2.1 innings of work and sophomore Kaitlyn Gilpin (Lyons, Ill./Lyons Township) came on in 1.2 innings of relief.
ON DECK FOR MMU
Mount Mary will return to action Monday, March 29 with an evening double-header at Rockford. First pitch for game one against the Regents is slated for 5 p.m. at Mercyhealth Sportscore Two Complex in Loves Park, Ill.
