Cleveland State split the first of their two games in a four-game series with Motlow State on Friday, but unfortunately, it was the Lady Bucks who nabbed the series 3-1 after winning both games on Saturday.
Cougar softball erased a four-run deficit in game one vs. the Lady Bucks winning the first game 5-4 on Friday, while Motlow rebounded in game two winning 11-2. On Saturday, Cleveland State (6-9, 2-6) lost 9-1 and 3-2.
With the season in full swing Cougar softball plays Tuesday, March 14 at 2 and 4 p.m. vs. Indian Hills Community College. This home game doubleheader precedes the next home weekend conference series against Chattanooga State scheduled on March 17 and 18.
Game One
With a single run in the third inning and three in the fourth, Motlow saw their four-run lead disappear as the Cougars scored four in the bottom of the fourth when nine batters came to the plate. Pitcher Kaley Cagle drove in Macy Bryant who had doubled to start the inning for the Cougars first run of the game. Walks to catcher Brittany Arnold and Hannah Jones led to runs two and three of the inning with Cagle scoring the fourth run on a single by freshman Rachel Pierce. Bre Dunsmore plated another run in the inning with a single to centerfield.
Cleveland State banged out nine hits led by Bryant, Cagle and Dunsmore with two hits each. Carly Frost, Pierce and Mekala White each had one to round out the hit attack. Cagle went the distance winning her fourth game of the season, giving up six hits on the game.
Game Two
Along with Pierce the other bright spot for Cougar softball was Cameron Baltimore who relieved Hodgson with one out in the fourth and pitched effectively for the remainder of the game.
Game Three
The Cougars managed just seven hits in the 9-1 loss, scoring their loan run in the second inning when Jones laced a double to left center and was driven home by Dunsmore who singled up the middle. Cagle took the loss which evened her season record at 4-4. Pierce had two hits and teammates Goodson, Grayson Brown, Arnold, Jones and Dunsmore each had singles.
Game Four
Hodgson (2-5) was the hard luck losing pitcher in game four, when the Cougars left the bases loaded in the fourth with no outs and then squandered a lead-off double in the bottom of the seventh by White to lose the game 3-2.
