The Marian University Ancilla softball team concluded their trip to Myrtle Beach Friday with another pair of games, and they were able to get the bats going a little bit. Unfortunately, the team lost both games again, and since they weren't able to play on Wednesday either (weather related), they finished their trip 0-4. But the Chargers saw some improvement from beginning to end, per Head Coach Josh Pitts, "we looked a lot more comfortable Friday morning and did several things much better. We know what we need to work on, and we'll come back to campus and prepare for the remainder of our season. With an entirely new roster, we are learning each other on the fly, but I was happy with some of the growth we showed this week."

Friday, the Chargers took on MCCAA foe Schoolcraft College in the morning game, then turned their attention to Madison College in the afternoon. While Schoolcraft is in a different division and MUAC won't face them during the conference season, it was a good opportunity to play a fellow MCCAA team this early in the year. Below is a brief recap of Friday's action.

GAME-1: In the morning game against Schoolcraft, the Charger bats came alive. In the top of the 1st inning, Freshman Alyssa Mulbarger singled to lead off the game, then advanced to second base on a ground out. Freshman Abby Witt stepped to the plate and lined a shot into right field, and Mulbarger came around to score; 1-0 MUAC. Following an error and a walk, Freshman Samantha Perry grounded into a fielder's choice, allowing Witt to come in from third base, and the Chargers led 2-0. In the bottom of the 1st, Schoolcraft would answer with a trio of doubles, tying the game at 2-2. In the top of the 2nd inning, Freshman Kylee Heard hit a 1-out single to shortstop, then later advanced to second on a ground out. Freshman Abigail Heaston came to the plate and snuck a ground ball through the right side of the infield, scoring Heard; 3-2 MUAC. Schoolcraft again answered immediately in the bottom of the 2nd inning, using a hit batsman who then aggressively stole three consecutive bases, including home, knotting it at 3-3. The ensuing batter walked, then the Ocelots got a double and a single, and suddenly Marian Ancilla was down, 5-3. The Chargers couldn't get anything going in the top of the 3rd, but Schoolcraft scored again in the bottom half of the inning. This time utilizing a single, a hit batsman, and another pair of singles, the Ocelots were able to find three more runs, and it was now 8-3, Schoolcraft. But the Chargers' resilience showed up in the top of the 4th. Trailing by that 8-3 margin, Freshman Justice Billingsley hit a 1-out double to left field. Heard then singled to right, scoring Billingsley. Mulbarger immediately doubled after that, and Heaston grounded out, but Heard was able to score, and it was now just an 8-5 deficit. With two outs, Witt reached on an error, scoring Mulbarger. Freshman Samantha Hoffman drove a double into right field, and Freshman Ambrosia Mason hit a ground ball single to short, and it was now just an 8-7 margin. Fast forward to the top of the 6th inning, and the Chargers were running out of time. Heaston hit a 1-out triple to right field, and they were suddenly in business. Witt popped one up over the infield, but the pitcher dropped it, so Witt was safe at first, however Heaston couldn't advance. On the next pitch, Witt stole second base, and the Chargers were threatening with runners on second and third. Hoffman grounded out to second base, but the runners were able to advance, and Heaston scored, tying it at 8-8. Unfortunately, that was it for the MUAC offense. Schoolcraft responded once more in the bottom of the 6th inning, and after an error, a couple of walks, and three singles, it was the Ocelots on top once again, 13-8. Mason was able to get on base to lead off the 7th inning, but the Chargers just couldn't muster another run. Hoffman (0-2) pitched all 6 innings for the Chargers, striking out two batters.

GAME-2: During the afternoon tilt, the Chargers faced a strong pitching performance by Madison College's Hannah Aldrich. She allowed just two hits and three walks over a scoreless five innings, while striking out three batters. MUAC did get a pair of 2-out singles from Samantha Perry and fellow Freshman Keely Qualkenbush in the top of the 2nd inning, but that was it for offense for the Chargers. Madison used seven walks in a 5-run 1st inning to jump out in front, then followed that with one run in the bottom of the 2nd inning, and two runs each in the bottom of the 3rd and 4th innings, for the 10-0 win. Justice Billingsley (0-1) started her first game of the season, but it was her second appearance in the circle. She pitched 4 innings and struck out a batter.

Marian Ancilla returns to the field on Tuesday, March 19th, when they host MCCAA rival Kalamazoo Valley in a conference double-header. The first pitch is set to be thrown at 3:00 p.m. ET, with the second game approximated for 5:00 p.m. ET. Please come out and support the Chargers in their first home game of the year!!