MUAC softball sweeps Jackson CC
PLYMOUTH (IN) – The Marian University Ancilla Softball team picked up its first two wins of the season Tuesday afternoon, as they grinded out two tough wins against the Jackson Jets, 11-10 and 6-3. The Chargers have not won both ends of a double-header, especially an MCCAA conference double-header, on the same day since the 2016-2017 season. Below is a quick look at some highlights from each outing.
GAME-1 (W 11-10): The Chargers were able to utilize a handful of walks and pair that with timely hitting, as they jumped out in front early and led 7-1 heading into the 6th inning. However, the Jets found a rhythm in the 6th and scored what could have been a back-breaking 9 runs to go ahead 10-7. But the Chargers were not going down without a fight, and they were able to manufacture 4 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning, including a 2-run home run by Freshman Abby Harmon, to take an 11-10 lead and hold on for their first victory of the season.
Harmon added a single and another RBI to her game-1 tally for the Chargers. Freshman Samanta Mendoza placed 3 singles into play and picked up 4 RBIs along the way in the leadoff spot, while Sophomore Cayla Beasley had a pair of hits of her own, including a double, plus she drove in 3 runs. Sophomore Kim Cummings and Freshman Christina Grabowski (1-4) combined to strike out 10 batters in 7 innings pitched.
GAME-2 (W 6-3): Game-2 saw Freshman pitcher Rebecca Braude (1-1) display a fine pitching performance, allowing just 2 earned runs in 6 innings of work while striking out 6 batters. Sophomore Kim Cummings pitched the 7th inning in relief and picked up the save (1) with a 3-up/3-down performance that included another strikeout.
Freshman Lauren Bruce was a standout defensively at the “hot corner”, making great play after great play in the second game. As Head Coach Izzy Johnson stated, “she was an animal at third base.” Coach went on to add that Braude “was our rattlesnake. She pitched an absolute clinic. And Kim Cummings came up clutch finishing the game by allowing no base-runners.”
Offensively, Freshman Christina Grabowski was the only Charger with multiple hits, both doubles, and she drove in a run. Cummings had a double and 2 RBIs at the plate, while Freshman Abby Harmon and Sophomore Morgan Fogle (for her birthday, by the way) each singled and drove in the other runs.
The Softball team has a couple of days off before returning to action this Friday and Saturday. Friday, they host Lansing Community College at 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., in a rematch of a pair of close losses (2-1 and 7-5) from last month. Saturday, they head to Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor, Michigan, for a double-header with the Red Hawks at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
