Softball Swept at UM-Dearborn

(Ann Arbor, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar softball team made the trip to Ann Arbor to take on the UM-Dearborn Wolverines at UM's Alumni Field Sunday afternoon, playing a WHAC double-header.

In Game 1:  Oshieuana Phifer led off the game with a double, and Mia Rzepka got on base after being hit by a pitch to bring up Susie Bielecki.  Bielecki would single, and advance to second on the throw to score Phifer and give the Cougars an early 1-0 lead, but the Wolverines would get out of the jam without allowing any further damage.  A 3-run home run in the bottom of the 1st inning would give the Wolverines the lead, and two doubles would add three more runs to make the score 6-1 through three innings.  In the 4th inning, a pair of singles by Maddie Campbell and Courtney Ture, followed by an Osheiauna Phifer walk would load the bases.  Mia Rzepka singled home two runs to cut into the deficit.  The next batter, Susie Bielecki, also doubled to make the score 6-5 in favor of the hosts.  The Wolverines would respond in a big way in the bottom half of the inning, as they went on to score twelve runs to take an 18-5 lead.  In the top of the 5th, Kate Currie walked, and Sarah Cassidy doubled to bring up Maddie Campbell, who doubled home Currie.  A Jenna Wagenschutz walk put runners on the corners, and Courtney Ture grouned out, but scored Cassidy to make the score 18-7, which UM-Dearborn held onto through the final out.
Susie Bielecki went 2/3 with 3 RBI, while Mia Rzepka went 1/2 with 2 RBI.  Mercedes Cole suffered the loss pitching, going 2.1 innings and allowing 6 runs on 6 hits.

In Game 2:  Once again the game started with Cleary jumping out to an early lead.  Osheiauna Phifer reached on an error, and stole second to get into scoring position.  A Mia Rzepka single put runners on the corners to bring up Sarah Cassidy.  Cassidy grounded out, but scored Phifer from third base, but advanced Rzepka to third base.  A Susie Bielecki RBI groundout scored Rzepka and gave the Cougars a 2-0 lead.  The Wolverines answered in the bottom of the inning to tie, and took the lead in the bottom of the 2nd inning at 4-2.  In the 3rd, Sarah Cassidy reached on an error, and advanced to second on a passed ball.  A Susie Bielecki RBI single scored Cassidy to cut the lead to 4-3.  UM-Dearborn answered in the bottom of the inning to regain the two run advantage, but the Cougars would answer right back in the top of the 4th, scoring four runs.  Grace Pasterik got things started with a single, and Osheiauna Phifer reached on an error.  A Mia Rzepka single loaded the bases.  The next batter, Sarah Cassidy scored Pasterik on a sacrifice fly, followed by a Susie Bielecki single that scored Phifer.  Kate Currie would single home Rzepka and Bielecki to give the Cougars a 7-5 lead.  Unfortunately, the Wolverines would explode for five runs in the bottom of the 5th and held on to win 10-7.
Mia Rzepka, Susie Bielecki, Alex Pace, and Grace Pasterik all had 2 hits apiece for the Cougars, while Susie Bielecki had 3 RBI.  Sarah Cassidy and Kate Currie each had 2 RBI in the game.  Alexis Beeson suffered the loss pitching, allowing 8 runs on 14 hits through 4 innings.  Bielecki's 6 RBI day gives her a total of 25 on the season.

Cleary drops to 11-23, 0-6 in WHAC play.  They will have a couple days off before taking on the Rochester Warriors on Wednesday, April 6 in a WHAC double-header.  First pitch of game one is scheduled for 1:00 PM.  The game will also be Cleary softball's Autism Awareness Game, with the team wearing special uniforms to raise autism awareness.