Chargers take doubleheader split
JACKSON (MI) – For the first time since the 2016-2017 season, the Marian University Ancilla Softball team has won 5 games in a season. This might not seem like a big deal to many people, but it is quite the accomplishment from the standpoint that all 5 wins have been against MCCAA conference opponents, and they finished the Spring with a 3-3 series split against Jackson College. In a program looking for building blocks moving forward, this is a good start, and they still have 4 games remaining this week.
How did it go down? Well, this particular double-header with Jackson College began on Tuesday, April 21st. The Jets won the opener 13-5 in just 5 innings, and things didn’t look promising for the Chargers. But in game-2, they fought to take a 6-5 lead in the top of the 4th inning, then the rain began with 1 out in the bottom of the inning. With other conflicts throughout the week, it took until Sunday evening (4/26) for them to return to action, but they did so and got a great relief pitching performance from Sophomore Kim Cummings (3-6) to help close this one out.
Below is a look at both games that began last Tuesday, with some notes/highlights from each of the contests.
GAME-1 (L 13-5 in 5 innings): Despite the excitement of game-2, this was a nail-biter for a while then a heart-breaker at the end. Freshman Christina Grabowski was having a great game, as she was 2-for-3 with a triple, a home run, and 4 runs driven in, and the Chargers were actually leading 5-3 heading into the bottom of the 5th inning.
However, the Jets utilized a 1-out double, followed by 3 Charger errors, before Jackson’s Addison Hendricks smacked a grand slam home run to put Jackson up 7-5. They then strung together a trio of singles, a walk, and a pair of doubles, to reach the 8-run rule, winning game-1 13-5 in 5 innings.
GAME-2 (W 10-6): With a 6-5 lead when play resumed in the bottom of the 4th inning, Sophomore Kim Cummings took to the pitcher’s circle with runners on first and second base and just 1 out. There was also a 1-1 count on the batter at the plate. Cummings immediately struck out 2 batters on 9 pitches, and the Chargers escaped the inning.
In the top of the 5th inning, Marian Ancilla got a leadoff single from Freshman Ryleigh Reiblich but couldn’t advance her. 2 outs later, after Sophomore Cayla Beasley walked, Freshman Sophie Konyndyk singled to score Reiblich, then Freshman Abby Harmon singled herself, scoring both Beasley and Konyndyk, and it was 9-5 Chargers.
The Jets would narrow the lead to 9-6 with a run in the bottom of the 5th inning, but Marian Ancilla would match that with an insurance run in the top of the 7th inning, as Sophomore Morgan Fogle drove in Harmon on a single to centerfield, creating the final margin, 10-6.
Cummings finished with 3 2/3 innings pitched, allowing just 1 run on 2 hits while striking out 6 Jackson batters. Harmon, Fogle, plus Freshmen Lauren Bruce & Mickayla Naanos each drove in a pair of runs in this delayed game, while Fogle finished 4-for-5 at the plate, and Reiblich finished 3-for-4.
Please come out and support these ladies, as they have just 4 games remaining, all at home, with Sophomore Day coming up as well. Thursday, the Chargers host Lake Michigan College, with game times scheduled for 3:00p & 5:00p. Then, Saturday will be Sophomore Day, as the Chargers host Glen Oaks Community College in a final double-header with start times projected at 1:00p & 3:00p.
