HOWELL, Mich.- The University of Michigan- Dearborn (17-12, 7-5) women's softball team traveled to Lake Trust Stadium for a WHAC doubleheader against the Cleary University Cougars (9-26, 3-11) on Wednesday (Apr. 12). The matchup was a makeup of a March 29 doubleheader that was postponed due to weather. The teams battled to a split, with Dearborn taking game one, 9-1, and Cleary earning the victory in game two, 2-0.
Game One
The Wolverines got on the board early in the top of the second when Lanie Ellinger stole home for the game's first run. UM-Dearborn would take a commanding 4-0 lead in the inning with a pair of singles from Emily McCalla and Mia Nightingale.
The Cougars scored their lone run in the bottom of the fifth when Jenna Wagenschutz hit into a fielder's choice that scored Courtney Ture.
UM-Dearborn would score nine runs in the contest on nine hits, taking an eight-run lead in the top of the sixth inning. However, the game would end by way of the mercy rule when pitcher Lanie Ellinger (7-4) kept Cleary off the scoreboard in the bottom half of the inning for a 9-1 final score.
Game Two
Pitching was the story in game two, with both teams' starting pitchers going the distance.
The Wolverines managed only four hits and were unable to get any runs across the plate, stranding eight runners in the contest.
Cougar pitcher, Caitlyn Duffy, struck out eight Wolverine batters on her way to earning her third victory of the season. Cleary scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first for a 1-0 lead. The Cougars added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI single by Maddie Bunkowski, making the score 2-0.
Paige Maltby (1-1) pitched well, surrendering seven hits and two unearned runs. Maltby had three strikeouts and zero walks in her first loss of the season.
Next Up
Dearborn travels to Detroit Country Day on Saturday (Apr 15) for a conference doubleheader with the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
