HOWELL, Mich. (LourdesAthletics.com) – The Lourdes University softball team fell to Cleary University, 3-2, 3-1 in a hard-fought Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference road doubleheader at Lake Trust Stadium in Howell, Michigan, on Sunday afternoon.

Game 1: Cleary 3, Lourdes 2
Lourdes (5-9) took an early hit, trailing Cleary (11-16) 2-0 after the fourth inning, but the Gray Wolves fought back with two runs in the top of the sixth. Olivia Hickman started the rally with an RBI single, followed by Taylor Leggins driving in another run to tie the game at 2-2. Brooke Albert also had a solid performance at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double.

However, Cleary answered back in the bottom of the sixth with a key single to bring home the go-ahead run. Despite a late rally by Lourdes, the Gray Wolves were unable to score again, and Cleary held on for the win. Lourdes' Kirsten Smith (2-3) took the loss after 5.2 innings of work, allowing three runs on six hits with four strikeouts. Karlei Conrad came in for one-third of an inning in relief, allowing one hit and no runs.

Cleary's H. Ludwig (5-7) pitched a complete game for the win, allowing two runs on five hits with five strikeouts. J. Kupsky (3) earned the save after closing out the game with a scoreless seventh inning.

Despite the loss, Olivia Hickman and Taylor Leggins each drove in a run for Lourdes.

Game 2: Cleary 5, Lourdes 1
Lourdes (5-10) struck first, taking a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Alyssa Goretzka singled to right field to bring in Liv Hussar. However, Cleary (12-16) answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the fourth with a single to center, driving in a run to tie the game at 1-1.

The game turned in the fifth and sixth innings, as Cleary scored four runs. Despite a strong offensive effort from Lourdes, which recorded nine hits in the game, the Gray Wolves could not capitalize on the opportunities.

The offense was led by Goretzka, who went 2-for-3 with the team's only RBI. Lourdes' Mallori Bradley (1-3) took the loss after allowing two runs on six hits in five innings of work. Berlynn Keller came in for relief, giving up three runs on three hits in one inning of work.

Cleary's H. Dargie (5-9) picked up the win, going the distance with a complete-game performance, allowing just one run on nine hits and striking out five.

Up Next:
As of right now, Lourdes returns to Sylvania for a WHAC doubleheader against Concordia (Mich.) on Wednesday, April 9, at Gray Wolf Field. First pitch is set for 2 p.m., with game two to follow at approximately 4 p.m. The makeup games with Madonna University scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, at Pacesetter Park have also been postponed due to weather.