WARRIORS ON WRONG END OF TWO THRILLERS TO CLEARY

HOWELL, Mich. - Two thrilling games of a doubleheader didn't go the Warriors' (2-13, 0-4) way on March 25, with hosts Cleary (7-11, 2-0) snagging both games in close fashion. Senior Alicia McConnell had a stellar day, recording six RBI on three hits. Junior Jaya Forti recorded four hits of her own to help try and push the Warriors. 

GAME ONE - L, 2-4

It was calm before the storm in the day's first game, with neither team scoring in the first two innings. Forti's first hit of the day was a triple to left-center in the first inning, but the Cougars escaped with a ground out. McConnell got going in the third inning, hitting a two-RBI double to left center, giving Forti and Jayde Dominey-McLean runs. Unfortunately for RCU, that momentum was halted in the bottom third, where the Cougars countered with two runs to get back in the game. 

The fourth inning was another scoreless one. Rochester Christian quickly registered three outs on the Cougars, including a tag by freshman Isabella Asai on a Cougar batter following a single. The fifth inning also produced double-zeroes, but the sixth inning proved pivotal for the game's outcome. 

The Warriors found themselves in a prime scoring position in the top of the sixth, with bases loaded. However, Cleary executed a brilliant double play to ensure the Warriors returned to the dugout still stuck in a tie. The hosts turned that play into points in the bottom of the sixth, with a batter hitting a home run to left center for two RBI and the lead. Three outs later, the Warriors were handed the loss in the top of the seventh. 

GAME TWO - L, 5-8

The bats connected well for the Warriors in the second game, out-hitting the Cougars 11-6. The first three innings were a defensive battle, with RCU's Chloe Wolfe producing a no-hitter through the first three innings. Unfortunately for the Warriors, the tide shifted in the middle innings, as Cleary scored seven unanswered runs across the fourth and fifth innings to take a commanding lead. 

McConnell didn't let the Warriors go down without a fight, smashing a home run into center field for two scores after a single from Forti. The Cougars tacked on another home run in the bottom of the sixth, but the Warriors kept pushing forward. 

With two outs, things didn't look bright for the Warriors. However, junior Jessica Laird gave the Warriors hope with a double to give Dominey-McLean another run. Forti singled on the next at-bat to advance Laird to third, and McConnell took advantage of the opportunity with a triple to left field to close the gap to three runs. Before the Warriors could get closer to closing the lead, though, the Cougars secured a clutch strikeout to end the game. 

Hussein Murray - RCU Athletic Communications

Featured Image: Hanna Swanson - RCU Athletics