Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 Livonia, MI - The Blue Devils softball team played a double header on the road against Madonna University who is one of the top conference teams. LTU is coming into this game looking for two wins as they are trying to maintain their playoff berth. They are seeding in the 8th spot, so these two games are must wins for Karen Baird, and her Lady Blue Devils. Game 1 resulted in an LTU win by a final of 4-0. Game 2 went to MU with final with a score of 3-9. The starting pitcher in Game 1 was Clover Brandt. Game 2 starting pitcher was Madison Shumaker. Makayla Benz came in from the bullpen as well.
Game 1 (LTU 4, MU 0): The Blue Devils were in for a pitching duel as the game was all tied up at 0 heading into the top of the 5th inning. LTU found themselves a quality rally. Sarah Hige came up to the plate after an Elizabeth Coon single. Hige then triples down the right field line for a 2 RBI triple. Coon and Leah Kadlitz were both able to hustle around the bases to cross home plate. After an error from a Brittney Wieland grounder to second base, Hige came around to score the third run of the inning. Moving to the 7th inning, Nicole Powrozek led off the inning with a big lead off bunt. Kadlitz SAC bunt. Coon singled down the line to advance the runners. Hige then hit a sacrifice fly to right field, tagging up was Powrozek and she was safe on the play. This gave LTU the lead 4-0 which was the final in this one. Hige went 2-3 with 3 RBI, and 1 run. Coon went 2-3 and 1 run.
How it Happened: Clover Brandt was the starter for Game 1. She was hitting the corners all day and in the zone from the very first pitch. She pitched a complete game shutout. Brandt only gave up 4 hits to Madonna. She faced 27 batters on 84 pitches.
LTU ended this game with only 1 error and 6 total hits. They left 5 runners on base. The team's batting average in Game 1 was .230. The team struck out 7 times on the day.
Game 2 (LTU 3, MU 9): Game 2 starter on the mound for the Blue Devils was lefty, Madison Shumaker. She only lasted 2.0 innings giving up 4 hits and 1 run. She struck out 1 batter while facing 13. LTU then brought in Benz and Brandt. MU in this one was able to connect on the bats and find many gaps. MU had 13 hits and scored 9 runs. Makayla finished her outing with team leading 4 strikeouts.
How it Happened: LTU started this game hot from the plate. The early LTU rally started from a Madonna error from the first basemen. Sidney Croskey came up later in the inning as she reached based from a single to third base to drive in 2 unearned runs. Not much life on offense after the strong start. MU was able to hold LTU to 3 runs in this one. Madonna was able to score 6 runs total in innings 3 and 4. The final score LTU 3, Madonna 9. Hige and Wieland went 2-4. Croskey, Tatum, Powrozek and Coon all went 1-3 from the dish.
The teams batting average in this game was .275, 2 RBI and only 4 KO's. LTU had no errors, but left 6 runners left on base.
On Deck: The Blue Devils (15-18) next double header will be Sunday, May 2nd at home. This game will be played in Beverly Hills, Michigan at Detroit Country Day High School. Game 1 is scheduled to start at 1 PM. Game 2 is scheduled to start at 3 PM.
