PEORIA, Ill. - The Elmhurst University softball team opened the 2024 season Friday afternoon at the Blue Angel Invite, splitting their two games of the day.

Elmhurst (1-1) began the season with a tough 0-1 loss to the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, with the games only run being scored on a sixth-inning homerun from the Pioneers.

The Bluejays were able to respond to the season-opening loss with a resounding 13-4 defeat of host Mount Mary, scoring five runs in the opening frame and another four in the final frame to pick up their first win of the season.

Brenna Morley led the Bluejays at the plate, totaling four hits and a pair of RBI's across both games, while Ali Mockenhaupt (2 RBI), Clara Rice (2 RBI), and the quartet of Paige Jahaske, Chiara O'Leary, Hailee Jenkins, and Josie Waite each tallying an RBI on the day.

In the circle, O'Leary took the loss in game one despite a strong pitching line of 7.0 IP, four hits, one run, one walk, and a trio of strikeouts, while Mockenhaupt pitched six strong innings to take the win in game two.

GAME 1 | UW-PLATTEVILLE 1, ELMHURST 0

It was a pitchers duel in game one, with each team only totaling four hits each in the contest. The Pioneers had chances in the second and third innings, but O'Leary was able to keep the Pioneers quiet. Ultimatley, a sixth-inning home run from Platteville proved to be the game winner, with the Pioneers taking a 1-0 victory over the Bluejays.

GAME 2 | ELMHURST 13, MOUNT MARY 4

The Bluejays had a resounding answer to their shutout in game one to the tune of 13 runs in game two. The scoring started early, with O'Leary knocking an RBI single to start and Maddie Kriech following suit with one of her own in the first inning. Three more RBI singles followed suit, giving the Bluejays a 5-0 lead early.

Elmhurst tacked on more runs in the second and third innings, and scored another four in the seventh to take the game, 13-4.

UP NEXT

Elmhurst will take a two-week break in action before traveling to Aurora, Ill. for a doubleheader against Aurora University on Saturday, March 16 beginning at 1:00 p.m.

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