Brighton, MI - Back in action for the first time in 33 days, the Blue Devils softball team (1-1) is finally on the diamond again. The team's last game was on January 29th as they played Saint Xavier and lost 2-4. The Blue Devils are looking for their third straight winning season as they begin their start their 2021 season. 
 
LTU's offense could not record a hit in their 1st game of their double header on Thursday morning, March 4th. (#22) (5-0) Saint Xavier started the day off with a 0-8 victory over the Blue Devils. This now moves the Blue Devils record to 1-1 on the year. 
 
Game 1 (LTU 0, #22, Saint Xavier 8): With Makayla Benz dealing in the circle, the Cougars jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning. Benz gave up three more runs in the 3rd inning which gave the Cougars a 7-0 lead. LTU was held hitless and scoreless throughout this game.
 
How it Happened: Benz (0-1) got the opening-day nod in the circle as Benz (L, 0-1) finished the game with 6.0 innings pitched giving up 7 hits and 8 runs during her outing. She walked 6 and struck out 4 batters. There was not much help from the offense and defense as both sides of the ball struggled. The offense did not record a hit and the defense let up 8 errors.  Makayla faced 38 batters, threw 154 pitches and 90 of those were strikes. Benz was able to get out of a couple jams during the game, but just wasn't enough.

The Blue Devils batters recorded 11 strikeouts as a team with no walks and no one left on base. LTU struggled to get the bats going in this one. 

Game 2 (LTU 0, #22, Saint Xavier 2): Madison Shumaker was on the bump for the Blue Devils in Game 2 and was caught in a jam early in the top of the 1st. She was in multiple jams throughout the game, but settled in and found a way keep the game within reach. The bats just weren't connecting with the ball in this one. 
 
How it Happened: Saint Xavier started the 1st inning scoring 2 runs, and it was pretty much a pitching duel for the rest of this one after the 1st. The momentum started to shift for LTU in the top of the 5th inning as the Blue Devils defense was starting to make plays. It was then up to the offense to connect with the bats in the bottom half of the 5th, but went down swinging ending the inning scoreless going 3 up 3 down. The team tried to rally late in the bottom of the 7th, but left a runner on, getting thrown out at second base. The lefty Shumaker pitched a complete game 7.0 IP and racked up 5 K's for her team with 3 BB. She pitched a total of 99 pitches in the game and gave up 2 ER. 
 
Sarah Hige tried to get the offense going with a leadoff single to left in the first, and showing signs of life, Hige then stole second and third base as she was left stranded on base in the first. Hige also recorded another single in the 3rd with another stolen base, but was left on base again. She had herself a solid day at the plate, ending the day going 2-2, 0 RBI, 1 K, 1 BB, 4 SB. 

On Deck: The Blue Devils (1-2) will travel to West Virgina on Sunday and play a double header against West Virgina Tech. The games will be played at Linda K. Epling Stadium and the first pitch will begin at 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM.