Softball Picks Up Split With Wolverines After Two High Scoring Games

(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar softball team was in action Friday afternoon, as they welcomed the UM-Dearborn Wolverines to Lake Trust Stadium for a WHAC double-header.

In Game 1:  UM-Dearborn scored a pair of runs to open the game in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead.  The Cougars would get on the board in the bottom of the second, when Mia Rzepka singled off the extended glove of the Wolverine shortstop to score Jenna Wagenschutz, and making the score 2-1.  The Cougars would score a whopping ten runs in the bottom of the third to take an 11-2 lead.  Cleary would get the first ten batters of the inning on base before UM-Dearborn recorded an out, and scored eight runs in that time.  Jenna Wagenschutz had a bases loaded RBI after being hit by a pitch, and Sierra Diegel had a 2 RBI single.  Mia Rzepka and Mackenzie Latshaw would keep the rally going with an RBI singles, and Jenna Wagenschutz singled to score Maddie Bunkoske for the inning's final run.  UM-Dearborn would add a run in the top of the fifth, but that would be as close as the Wolverines would get, as the game ended in five innings by a score of 11-3.

Haley Ludwig picked up her seventh win of the season, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits with 4 strikeouts in a 5-inning complete game effort.  Mia Rzepka went 3/3 with 2 RBI and 1 run at the plate, while Lauren Gannon went 2/3 with 1 run.  Seven of the nine starting position players recorded a hit in the game.

In Game 2:  The Wolverines jumped over the Cougars in the first inning, scoring five runs to take the early lead.  That deficit grew in the fourth inning with UM-Dearborn added three more runs to make the score 8-0.  Cleary would get the first two runners on in the bottom of the fourth after Mackenzie Latshaw and Gabrielle Monreal each reached safely.  A throwing error by UM-Dearborn allowed the first run to score, and savvy baserunning kept the Cougars in scoring position.  Sierra Diegel would hit a sacrifice fly to score Gabrielle Monreal, but the Cougars rally ended there.  UM-Dearborn would answer in the top of the fifth to regain the eight run advantage, and held the Cougars scoreless in the bottom of the inning to end the game.

Halle Dargie suffered the loss in the circle, allowing 6 runs (4 earned) on 7 hits in 1.2 innings of action.  Jade Kupsky threw 3.1 innings of releif.  Mckenzie Latshaw went 2/3 at the plate, while Olivia DeJohn and Maddie Bunkoske each had one hit for the Cougars.

Cleary is now 15-21 overall, 11-9 in the WHAC.  The Cougars will make the trek to Grand Rapids on Saturday to take on the Cornerstone Golden Eagles in a WHAC double-header.  First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.

*Picture Courtesy of Ryan Wagenschutz*