The Marian University Ancilla Softball team is off to one of its best starts in a few years. Tuesday's double-header with Kalamazoo Valley continued that pace, as they split a pair of games with the Cougars, dropping the opener, 9-7, while claiming victory in the second game, 10-7. Below is a look at a few highlights from each of Tuesday's contests.

GAME-1 (L 9-7): Game-1 was a back & forth offensive affair. The Cougars scored 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning, and the Chargers answered with 2 in the bottom of the 2nd. The Cougars scored 2 more in each of the 3rd and 4th, while the Chargers responded with 2 in the 4th and 1 in the 5th. Kalamazoo Valley plated two final runs in the top of the 6th inning, taking a 9-5 lead, but the Chargers would respond in the bottom of the 7th.

With 1 out and Freshman Morgan Fogle on 1st base, Freshman Kimberly Cummings smacked a line drive double into the left-center field gap, scoring Fogle and cutting the lead to 9-6. Then, with 2 outs, Sophomore Avery Mason grounded a ball up the middle, escaping the infield and scoring Cummings, making it 9-7. But Marian Ancilla just couldn't find a way to score another run and the Cougars took the first one, 9-7 in 7 innings.

Cummings (3-4) was credited with the loss in the pitching circle, but she did manage to go the distance and struck out 5 batters. Cummings also hit two doubles in the game. Freshman Hannah Carter drove in two runs to lead the Chargers at the plate, while Carter teamed up with fellow Freshman Cayla Beasley for a nice 6-to-5 double play early in the game.

GAME-2 (W 10-7): The bats continued to stay hot in Game-2, but this time the Chargers would turn the tides. Once again, Kalamazoo Valley jumped out to an early lead, 2-0 after 3 1/2 innings. But Marian Ancilla answered with the "double nickel", scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the 4th and another 5 runs in the bottom of the 5th. Heading into the top of the 7th, the Chargers led, 10-4. However, the game didn't lack for drama, as the Cougars used 4 singles and had a player reach on an error, scoring 3 runs in the top of the 7th, but Marian Ancilla ultimately closed it out, 10-7.

Kimberly Cummings (4-4) once again picked up the decision, pitching 4 1/3 innings, allowing just 3 earned runs and striking out 2 batters. Sophomore Samantha Hoffman pitched a strong 2 2/3 innings in relief, allowing just 1 earned run and striking out 3 batters. Sophomore Abigail Heaston and Freshman Cayla Beasley combined to go 6-for-7 at the top of the lineup, driving in 5 runs collectively. Cummings had the team's lone extra base hit, her third double of the day.

The Chargers are now 4-8 overall, matching the 2020-2021 team, and they are 2-2 in the MCCAA Western Division, tying for the most conference wins since that same 2020-2021 season. The Softball team next takes the field tomorrow, Friday, with another double-header, this time at Lake Michigan College. Game times are set for 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., so please come out and support the ladies, if you are able!!