Rosemont, Ill. --- The Blue Angels of Mount Mary University opened their season as they travelled to day one of the NAIA Leadoff Classic hosted by Roosevelt University. They were defeated in five innings in both of their matchups. They faced William-Penn in the first matchup of the day and fell short 12-1. After a few-hour break, they played Culver-Stockton and fell 11-1.  

Game One vs William-Penn  

The Statesmen scored two runs right away in the bottom of the first inning, 2-0. They continued their hot streak and scored seven more runs in the second, 9-0. The Blue Angels secured their first hit from freshman Tina Finley (Canyon Country, Calif.) as she singled through. First-time softball player, Nirella Coelho (Belo Horizonte, Brazil), took over the base running for Finley. She successfully stole second base but was later caught stealing third. The Statesmen continued their scoring efforts in the bottom of the third inning. They tacked on two more runs, 11-0. The Blue Angels could not connect, leaving themselves scoreless at the top of the third. William-Penn added their final run of the game from a double to right field, 12-0. Amanda Nance (Antioch, Ill.) got things going for the Blue Angels in the top of the fifth. Alexandria Eads (Lincoln, Ill.) came up big with a single and advanced Nance to third. Finley hit a sac fly and scored her first collegiate RBI, sending Nance home to score for the Blue Angels. Ultimately, in game one of their season-opening trip, they came up short 12-1.   

Game Two vs Culver-Stockton  

The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning, 3-0. In the bottom of the second inning, Eads led off with a monstrous triple to right field. Eads was found sliding and scoring due to a passed ball. The Blue Angels were down 3-1 after two. In the third, the Wildcats tacked on four more runs, bringing their lead to 7–1. The Blue Angels could not add any hits to match the aggressiveness of the Wildcats. The top of the fourth rolled around, and the Wildcats got to work. They added another four runs to their score, 11-1. The Blue Angels held the Wildcats scoreless in the top of the fifth. Ayja Cushman (Racine, Wis.) recorded the first hit of her collegiate career by singling to right field. Taylor Hames (Sugar Grove, Ill.) reached base and advanced Cushman on a Wildcat error. Unfortunately, Hames and Cushman were left on base, and the game finished after five innings. The Wildcats took the victory, 11-1.  

The Blue Angels softball team will be back in action for Day Two of the NAIA Leadoff Classic. They will face IU-Southeast at 10:00 a.m. and Aquinas at 12:00 p.m. The Coverage for all things MMU softball can be found at mtmaryathletics.com. Additional coverage can be found on Instagram @mtmarysoftball and Facebook @Mount Mary University Softball.