Softball Bounces Back in Big Way to Sweep RCU Behind DeJohn's Nine Total RBI

(Rochester, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar softball team returned to action Wednesday afternoon with a pair of games against the Rochester Christian Warriors, and the Cougars were able to take care of business.

In Game 1:  Cleary's offense started the game off on fire, scoring two runs to take the early control of the game.  An Olivia DeJohn single scored Mia Rzepka.  Two batters later, an Arianna Harden double would score DeJohn to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead.  In the second, Sierra Diegel scored the third run on a throwing error.  Olivia DeJohn would double to right field to score Mia Rzepka and Lauren Gannon to make the score 5-0.  The Cougars would add a sixth run to score DeJohn on a Maddie Bunkoske RBI groundout.  Cleary's eighth run would be scored by Jenna Wagenschutz, who scored in the third inning on a Warrior error.  Cleary added three more runs in the fourth, and two more in the fifth to take a 13-0 lead.

Haley Ludwig would throw four innings in the win, allowing 0 runs on 2 hits with 1 strikeout.  Jade Kupsky threw 1 inning in relief without allowing a hit.  Olivia DeJohn went 4/4 with 5 RBI and 3 runs scored to lead the offense.  Mia Rzepka added a 3/3 day with 1 RBI and 4 runs scored.  Arianna Harden and Lauren Gannon also had multi-hit games for the Cougars.

In Game 2:  After Mia Rzepka was hit by a pitch, Olivia DeJohn homered to center field to give the Cougars the early lead.  Cleary would add three more runs in the inning to take command of the game.  Back to back hits by Maddie Bunkoske and Arianna Harden brought Mckenzie Latshaw to the plate, and Latshaw singled home Bunkoske.  A double steal and a Warrior error allowed Harden to score, followed by a Grace Pasterik double that scored Latshaw to give the Cougars a 5-0 lead.  Cleary would add three more runs in the second, taking an 8-0 lead, with RBI from Jenna Wagenschutz and Grace MacCaughan.  After RCU scored three runs to make the score 8-3, Cleary scored once in the third, twice in the fourth, and three times in the fifth to make the score 14-4.

Halle Dargie would throw a complete game, allowing 4 runs on 8 hits with 3 strikeouts in the victory.  Olivia DeJohn went 2/4 with 4 RBI and 2 runs scored to complete a 9 RBI day.  Mia Rzepka went 3/4 at the plate with 4 runs scored, while Mckenzie Latshaw went 3/3 with 1 RBI and 2 runs scored.  Arianna Harden also had a multi-hit game.  Seven on the nine starters recorded an RBI in the game for Cleary.

Cleary improves to 14-20 overall, 10-8 in the WHAC.  The Cougars will be back at Lake Trust Stadium on Friday to take on the UM-Dearborn Wolverines for a WHAC double-header.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.

*Picture Courtesy of Ryan Wagenschutz*