Softball Splits with Warner as Currie Shines

(Lake Wales, FL)-- The Cleary Cougar softball team was back in action Monday, as they made the trip to Lake Wales to take on the Warner University Royals in a non-conference double-header.

In Game 1:  The Cougars' offense was held in check for the third straight game, as Warner's pitching held CU to just 2 hits.  Halle Dargie got the start pitching, and was cruising until the bottom of the fifth inning when she gave up back to back one out singles.  Caitlynn Duffey was called in to try and get out of the jam, and the Royals made the Cougars pay, scoring seven runs in the inning to take control of the game.  Still trailing 7-0, Warner added an eighth run in the bottom of the sixth to take the game by an 8-0 score.

Halle Dargie would suffer the loss, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits in 4.1 innings.  Kate Currie and Mia Rzepka would each have one hit for the Cougars.

In Game 2:  Cleary got the offense going right away, as the visiting Cougars scored three runs in the top of the first.  After Gabrielle Monreal walked, Kate Currie doubled to put both runners in scoring position.  Jessica Garmen singled down the right field line to give Cleary a 2-0 lead.  Later in the inning, Ashleigh Tatara singled to score Sierra Diegel, who was pinch running for Garmen, and Cleary led 3-0.  The Royals would answer with a run in the bottom of the first, and two more in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game at 3-3.

In the fifth, Jenna Wagenschutz reached on a fielder's choice, and Ashleigh Tatara singled to put both runners in scoring position.  Madi Best would reach on a fielder's choice that scored both runners, and Cleary held a 5-3 lead.  After Izabell Estes pinch ran for Best, Grace MacCaughan singled to score Estes, and giving the Cougars a 6-3 lead.  Cleary would not be done, as Kate Currie doubled down the right field line in the seventh to score Mia Rzepka.  The insurance run wouldn't be necessary, as Sonya Terleckyj cruised through the bottom of the seventh to finish off the Royals, as Cleary won 7-3.

Sonya Terlekcyj picked up her second win of the season, as she allowed 3 runs on 8 hits in the complete game effort.  Kate Currie went 5/5 with two doubles, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI.  Gabrielle Monreal, Jessica Garmen, and Ashleigh Tatara each had multi-hit games as the Cougars exploded for 14 hits.

Cleary is now 2-6 on the young season.  The Cougars are back in Melbourne, Florida on Tuesday as they play another double-header.  Game one will be against the Ave Maria Gyrenes at 10:00 AM, and game two will be against the Dakota Wesleyan Tigers at 12:15 PM.