Softball Walks-Off Indiana Tech Twice on Senior Day to Clinch WHAC Tourney Berth
Game 1
Game 1
| Final (10) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 1 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
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1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 1 |
(Howell, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar softball team played a pair of games with dramatic finishes Wednesday afternoon, and came away with two victories, as they took down the Indiana Tech Warriors at Lake Trust Stadium. Prior to first pitch of game one, Cleary honored and recognized the six graduating seniors as part of senior day (Grace Pasterik, Jenna Wagenschutz, Mia Rzepka, Lauren Gannon, Arianna Harden, and Gabrielle Monreal), as well as graduate assistant Shelby Kennedy.
In Game 1: Indiana Tech took the lead in the second inning after an error by Cleary allowed the game's first run to score. Still trailing 1-0 in the fifth inning, Grace Pasterik reached safely on an infield single. After Pasterik advanced to scoring position on a sacrifice bunt, Mia Rzepka came in clutch with a single to center that scored Pasterik and tied the game at 1-1. The game would remain tied after seven innings, and extras would be required. In the top of the eighth, Indiana Tech would get runners on first and second with one out. A flyout to Mckenzie Latshaw in left field would be the second out. The Warriors' runner at second decided to test Latshaw, attempting to advance to third base. Latshaw's throw would be on the mark, gunning the runner down, and ending the inning on the double-play. In the bottom of the tenth inning, Mia Rzepka singled with one out to center field to bring up Olivia DeJohn. DeJohn came through, as she doubled to left center, allowing Rzepka to score the game-winning walk-off run from first to end the game.
Haley Ludwig was stellar in the circle, allowing 1 run on 8 hits in a 10-inning complete game, with 4 strikeouts. Mia Rzepka and Grace Pasterik each had 2 hits for the Cougars offense.
In Game 2: After a 1-2-3 inning to start the game, Cleary would get on the board in the bottom of the first inning to take the lead. Lauren Gannon led off the game with a single, and advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt. Olivia DeJohn singled through the left side of the infield to score Gannon, and Cleary led 1-0. In the top of the third, a throwing error while attempting to field a sacrifice bunt attempt by Indiana Tech allowed the Warriors to tie the game at 1-1. They would single one batter later to take a 2-1 lead. Still trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the seventh, Jenna Wagenschutz would single to start the Cougar rally, and Sierra Diegel would pinch-run. After a sacrifice bunt moved Wagenschutz into scoring position, Cleary would be down to their final out with the top of the order due up. Lauren Gannon would draw a walk to put the game-winning run on base. Mia Rzepka singled through the left side of the infield, and Sierra Diegel beat the throw and tag home to tie the game. Rzepka utilized the throw home to advance to second base, and when Indiana Tech threw to second, Lauren Gannon took off from third, and beat the eventual throw home easily to give the Cougars the dramatic walk-off victory.
Halle Dargie earned a complete game win, allowing 2 unearned runs on 7 hits with 1 strikeout. Maddie Bunkoske went 2/3 at the plate with a double, while Mia Rzepka and Olivia DeJohn each had a hit and an RBI.
The victories give Cleary a 17-23 record overall, and ensures a winning record in the WHAC with a 13-11 record. The wins also clinch a spot in next week's WHAC tournament for the second consecutive season.
