Morris – The Minnesota Morris softball team dropped both games yesterday (April 22) to St. Scholastica 9-1, and 12-6.

In the first game the Saints would start their scoring early and often as they tacked on nine runs during the game. The Cougars scored their lone run in the third inning when Mercedes Klimek reached on a fielder's choice, and Shelby Johnsrud scored on a error by the first basemen.

The Cougars were out hit 11-5 in the game, with Natasha Wiebold having two of them.

Mariah Essig pitched another complete game for the Cougars, allowing eight earned runs on 11 hits. Essig leads the team with 13 complete games, she also leads the team in era (4.07), wins (8), appearances (14), shutouts (2), innings pitched (89.1), strikeouts (79).

The Cougars and Saints played one more, with the Saints being the victor again. The Saints took the lead again in the first inning with a three-run home run by Molly Jazdzewski. The Cougars continued to fall behind the Saints 9-0 going into the bottom of the fourth inning.

Morris began their rally in the bottom of the fourth when Jessica Gordon scored on a Mercedes Klimek fielder's choice. Molly Olson reached on an error by the short shop, allowing Shelby Johnsrud to score.

With the Cougars trailing 11-2, they were able to score four more runs in the bottom of the fifth. Kelsey Draper singled to score Jordan Iverson. Morris also scored three more runs in the inning, one on a wild pitch, one a Johnsrud single to centerfield and another one on an error by the shortstop.

Iverson had two hits, one double and one triple. Three other Cougars (Kelli Hamilton, Draper, and Gordon) also had at least two hits in the game.

Molly Olson extended her 19-game hitting streak with a single to third base in the bottom of the third.

Olson currently leads the team with a .482 batting average, she also leads the team in runs (22), hits (40), doubles (11), RBIs (21), total bases (64), slugging percentage (.771), walks (8), and on-base percentage (.527).

The Cougars will be back in action when they travel to New Ulm, Minn. to take on Martin Luther and Bethany Lutheran. The first game against Martin Luther will start at 3:00 p.m. and in the second game against Bethany Lutheran, with first pitch scheduled for 5:00 p.m.

Morris is now 13-15 overall and 10-5 in conference play. The Cougars are in second place in the UMAC, one game ahead of Northwestern.