Eureka, IL- Friday in Central Illinois, the Mount Mary Blue Angels and Eureka College softball teams connected in an afternoon doubleheader.
It was an exciting day for the Blue Angels, as they completed an amazing comeback extra innings win in game one, by a 16-15 score. In game two, the Blue Angels shot out to a red hot offensive start and easily took game two for the sweep, by a score of 19-10.
In game one, the Red Devils of Eureka struck first, plating four runs in the bottom of the 1st inning.
They would stretch their lead to 7-0 when MMU would rally in the 3rd. The Blue Angels scored five runs in the inning, highlighted by a 2 run double by Lillian Fay and a run scoring double from Naomi Gomez.
Eureka would stretch their lead to 12-5 heading to the 6th, but again Mount Mary would rally. A Micaela Gonzalez double would score two and Amanda Nance provided a huge hit, a two run homerun, to bring MMU to within 3 at 12-9. After a pitching change, Lillian Fay blasted a home run to give MMU their first back-to-back homers of the season and bring the Blue Angels within two at 12-10.
Mount Mary would complete the impressive comeback and tie the game in the 7th, Lillian Fay's sac fly brought the Blue Angels even at 12-12. MMU held Eureka scoreless in the bottom of the frame and sent the game to extra innings.
Taylor Hames gave the Blue Angels the slightest of leads at 13-12 with an rbi single in the top of the 8th. Eureka would match the single run, sending the remarkable game to the 9th.
The top of the 9th began with more heroics from Amanda Nance, she connected on her second long home run of the game as the MMU reclaimed the lead at 15-13. A Taylor Hames rbi single would extend the lead to 16-13. Eureka would plate two in the 9th but it was not enough as Mount Mary completed an amazing 16-15 win. The Blue Angels remarkably erased two seven run deficits in the game and pounded out 16 hits.
Taylor Hames claimed the complete game pitching win, throwing all 9 innings. Amanda Nance and Lillian Fay had amazing games at the plate, Nance with two home runs, going three for six at the plate and driving in five runs. Fay was 2 for 5, with four runs batted in, a home run and a double.
Naomi Gomez and Taylor Hames added three hits each to the Blue Angel offensive onslaught.
In the day's second game, Mount Mary stayed red hot offensively, plating 11 runs in the first inning. The biggest blow struck was Amanda Nance's third home run of the doubleheader, this one a grand slam.
MMU would add on in the second, Alexandria Eads knocked a 2-run double to stake the Blue Angels to a 15-0 lead. Errors by Eureka extended the inning and a Taylor Hames single would extend the lead to 18-0 heading into the bottom of the 2nd.
Eureka would stage a small comeback but MMU cruised for a 19-10 game 2 win. Alexandria Eads picked up her first win in the pitching circle.
Mount Mary pounded out another 17 hits (33 in the doubleheader).
Standouts in game 2 were:
Amanda Nance (2-4, 4 rbis, grand slam)
Micaela Gonzalez (2-4, 2 rbis, 3 runs scored)
Crystal Peterson (2-5, 3 runs scored)
Alexandria Eads (2-4, 3 runs scored, 3 rbi)
Taylor Hames (3-4, 2 runs scored, 3 rbi)
Naomi Gomez (2-4)
Jodie Penman (2-3).
The Blue Angels scored 35 runs in the doubleheader overall, completely dominating Eureka pitching.
The Blue Angels (3-10) will next be in action on Saturday, March 29th, when they take on the Panthers of Principia in Elsah, Illinois. The Blue Angels will look to continue the torrid offensive pace they set against Eureka. Stay tuned to www.mtmaryathletics.com for all coverage of Blue Angel softball.
