Softball Splits Series With Siena Heights on Senior Day

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar softball team welcomed the Siena Heights Saints to Lake Trust Stadium for a WHAC doubleheader Saturday afternoon, as the team recognized the four seniors that make up the senior class on Senior Day.

In Game 1:  After a Mia Rzepka triple, Jenna Wagenschutz brought her home with a single, to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead in the first inning.  The Saints would tie the game in the second, but the Cougars exploded for five combined runs in the third and fourth innings to take control of the game. Mckenzie Latshaw would lead off the third with a single, and advanced on a sacrifice bunt.  Kate Currie would triple, and scored Latshaw, to give the Cougars a 2-1 lead.  Jenna Wagenschutz would reach on a fielder's choice, and Currie would beat out the throw home, and the Cougars expanded the lead to 3-1.  In the fourth, Cleary would load the bases with one out, and scored the first run of the inning on an error, followed by a Jenna Wagenschutz two-run single, giving Cleary a 6-1 lead.  The lead would grow in the sixth, when Jessica Garmen was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and Maddie Bunkoske singled to left for two more Cougar runs, icing the game and securing the victory.

Sonya Terleckyj would earn her sixth victory of the season, as she allowed 2 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits in 4.1 innings pitched.  Jenna Wagenschutz went 3/3 with 4 RBI, while Mckenzie Latshaw, Mia Rzepka, Kate Currie, and Maddie Bunkoske each added two hits apiece.  

In Game 2:  The Saints would jump out to an early 3-0 lead, but the Cougars would score in the third to cut the deficit back to one run.  After Grace Pasterik reached on an error and advanced to third base, Mia Rzepka laid a "suicide squeeze" bunt to score Pasterik for the Cougars' first run.  The Saints aded two more runs in the fourth, but the Cougars would respond in the bottom half of the inning.  Jessica Garmen would hit a one out single, followed by a Maddie Bunkoske single, and a Izabell Estes walk.  Grace MacCaughan would draw a walk with the bases loaded, and the Cougars scored their second run.  In the sixth, Grace MacCaughan doubled, and Mia Rzepka got on base via an error.  When Rzepka stole second, MacCaughan scored on an error.  After a Kate Currie single, the next batter, Jenna Wagenschutz singled to score Rzepka, and the score would be 5-4.  One batter later, Ashleigh Tatara singled, and Currie scored to tie the game for the Cougars.  The Saints would get the leadoff batter on in the seventh, and were able to bring her around to score, making the score 6-5.  Cleary would be unable to tie the game again, and the final score would end 6-5.

Haley Ludwig would suffer the loss on the mound, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits in 4 innings pitched.  Jenna Wagenschutz continued to hit the ball well in game two, going 3/4 with 1 RBI.  

Cleary is now 10-20 overall, and 5-9 in the WHAC.  The Cougars will travel to Sylvania, Ohio on Sunday for a WHAC doubleheader against the Lourdes Gray Wolves.  First pitch of game one is set for 1:00 PM.