The day got off to a great start with pre-game ceremonies to dedicate the new facility that included a greeting and prayer by MVNU president Dr. Dan Martin, some thoughts from former Lady Cougar standout Kendra Lambert, and recognition of MVNU Facilities Services Director Denny Taylor (left), who also threw out the first pitch - a strike. The MVNU Student Government Association also sold 600 hot dogs as they sponsored a Dime-A-Dog event at the game.

The first game was scoreless until the bottom of the third inning when the Lady Cougars (15-3, 1-1 AMC South) used four hits and a walk to take a 4-0 lead as the standing-room-only crowd of 410 fans cheered their approval. Freshman catcher Caitlin Murphy drove in the first run at the new field with an RBI-double. Sophomore third baseman Karly Clay added a two-run double, and freshman outfielder Lesley Banichar ripped a run-scoring triple to put MVNU in front.

After the Cavaliers (12-16, 1-3 AMC South) trimmed the lead in half 4-2 with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth inning, the Lady Cougars got one of the runs back in the bottom of the fourth inning on an RBI-single by Murphy to push the lead back to 5-2.

Clay’s run-scoring single in the bottom of the sixth inning made it 6-2 in favor of MVNU, and the Lady Cougars held on for a 6-4 victory as Walsh tacked on two runs in the top of the seventh inning with a pair of sacrifice flies before the game came to an end.

Clay, Banichar, and senior second baseman Laura Kot each had three hits apiece as part of MVNU’s 13-hit attack with Clay driving in three runs and Kot stealing two bases. Murphy also added two hits and two RBI as the Lady Cougars extended their winning streak to 10 straight games.

Freshman right-hander Colleen Potter (3-0) (right) picked up the win on the mound as she scattered eight hits, four walks, and four runs over six-plus inning with three strikeouts. Sophomore right-hander Kylie Rupert retired the final three batters to notch her second save of the season.

“This was a great way to start out the history of our new facility,” said MVNU head coach Jeana Howald. “We had a great turnout from a crowd standpoint, and the team did what it had to do in order to come away with a victory. Hopefully, it was the first of what will be many wins on this new field.”

In the second game, the Lady Cougars took an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as Clay lined a one-out, two-run single through the left side of the infield as MVNU appeared to be on its way to a doubleheader sweep.

However, the Cavaliers answered with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning to knot the score at 2-2 as Walsh had three hits and took advantage of an error in the inning.

Then, in the top of the fifth inning, the Cavaliers took a 3-2 lead as another error by the Lady Cougars led to another unearned run.

Walsh tacked on three more runs in the top of the sixth inning while only recording one hit. The Cavaliers took advantage of another MVNU error, two walks, and two hit batsmen in the inning as Walsh prevailed by the final score of 6-2 to split the twinbill.

Rupert (3-2) took the loss for the Lady Cougars as she allowed five hits, one walk, and four runs (two earned) over five-plus innings with one strikeout. Freshman right-hander Staci Graham gave up one hit, one walk, two hit batsmen, and two runs over the final two innings in relief with one strikeout.

Offensively, Kot and Clay (left) both had two hits for MVNU, which stranded eight baserunners in the game.

“We did not make the plays that we needed to make in the second game in order to get the victory,” said Howald. “If we want to compete for a shot at the conference playoffs, we have to be more consistent at the plate and in the field. Everyone in our batting lineup has to contribute, and we have to make the routine plays in the field.”

“Despite the loss, it was great to finally get to play on our new field,” Howald added. “Denny (Taylor) and our (MVNU Facility Services) staff have worked hard to make this a reality. From the past, present, and future members of the Lady Cougar softball program, we say a big thank you and appreciate all the work that went into making today happen.”

The Lady Cougars will return to action on Tuesday when MVNU will travel to Cedarville for another AMC South Division doubleheader that will get under way at 3:00 p.m.