Tucson, Arizona - Mayville State Comets Softball headed south to Tucson, Arizona for the spring invitational this past weekend. The Comets are scheduled 9 varisty games and 2 JV games in a 6 day span. 

On Monday, the Comets would go into 9 innings with Park (MO), falling 2-1, they would then face Concordia (Neb.) for the second time this season, falling 9-0. 

On Tuesday, the Comets would take on a tough Avila team, and pull out a 7-5 win followed by an even tougher Ottawa team, losing 8-3 to the Spirits, who had lost just 2 games on the season.

"After finding some rhythm at the Friends Invitational last weekend, I finally feel like we are gaining some confidence both at the plate and on the mound even though our record doesn't show it," said head coach Jordan Olson. "Being on the road as much as we are isn't easy and starting the season off with how we have definitely isn't easy to push through. Our players just keep showing up each day regardless. Our focus as a coaching staff is trying to get them to play a full 7 with the belief they can beat any team if they compete each pitch."

Game 1 vs. Park (MO) - L 1-2

- A pitching dual between both teams left the score knotted at 0 heading into the 8th inning
- Both teams would score in ITB tying things up 1-1
- In the top of the 9th, Park reached 1st on a Comets' error and the runner at 2nd scored making it a 2-1 ball game
- In the bottom of the 9th, Mackenzie Fuxa found herself in another big moment with a runner at 2nd and the opportunity to score the tying run
- Fuxa would hit a hard shot to right field but the second baseman would make an extraordinary leap, snagging it and throwing to second base to double up the Comets' runner and end the game

"This was by far one of the best games we played defensively all year. Park was coached well and Lacey held her ground on the mound coming off of a two week break from pitching. Ultimately, we made an error in a big moment to give them the go ahead run, but we left base runners in scoring postion multiple times throughout the game," commented Olson.

Game 2 vs. Concordia (Neb.) - L 9-0

- Concordia came out and put 7 runs up in the first 2 innings
- Comets have just 5 hits in the game, and can't muster up a run
- The Bulldogs plate 2 more runs in the bottom of the 5th to end in a run rule

"We came out 100% flat against Concordia. I felt we had no energy and lacked a presence both in the box, defensively and in the dugout. We knew Concordia would come out swinging, however, we lacked energy and effort. I thought we would use the momentum from the Park game to compete, instead we hung our heads and took the loss before the game started," said a frustrated Olson.

Game 3 vs. Avila - W 7-5

- Comets get on the board in the top of the first, scoring 2 runs
- Hughes doubled to center field, Madison Terres then tripled to center field scoring Hughes - 1-0 Comets
- Autumn McGough drove in Terres with a single to left to put the Comets up 2-0 early
- Avila found base runners in the 1st and 2nd innings but Mayville State would prevent them from scoring each time
- The Comets offense broke out in the 3rd, scoring five runs to extend their lead 7-0 and Avila would change pitchers 3 times in the inning
- Avila threatens late with 2 runs in 5th and smacking a 3 run homer in the 6th to get within 2
- Avila gets their lead off runner on in the bottom of the 7th but Ryanne Bass threw her out when she tries to steal second & Bailegih Momberg would get the next two batters out, giving the Comets a 7-5 win

"We knew Avila was coached well and had a deep pitching staff with kids that could swing it, however, the conversation prior to the game was about how softball doesn't know the day before or after, all it knows is now. Our team knew they had to put runs on the board and that it would be a scrappy game against a tough team that hits and runs. Lacey was able to keep us in the entire game and Bailey was able to come in and keep them off balance. Having Hughes back in the outfield and at the plate gave our team the spark we needed, it was a full team effort win," said Olson.

Game 4 vs. Ottawa (AZ) - L 8-3

- Ottawa gets on the board first with 2 runs in the top of 1
- McGough led the bottom of the 2nd off with a double and Bass followed it up with a single bringing Miquela Pino to the plate, she would hit an RBI single to right making the score 2-1 Ottawa
- The Spirits score another run in the top of the 3rd but the Comets respond after a lead off single by Hughes and an RBI double by Terres to put the Comets trailing by 1
- Heading into the 5th, Ottawa led 4-2, a 2 out walk from McGough and a double from Bass would get the Comets within 1
- Ottawa busted out offensively in the top of the 6th scoring 4 more runs and sealing the win 8-3

"Ottawa is a fast team that has just about as many lefties in their line ups as we do which we struggled to defend. Unfortunelty, they pushed runs across the board late that were unnecessary and we struggled to find the zone late on the mound and with runners in scoring position we lacked execution. Both of their pitchers hit the zone well with some speed and we didn't adjust to either of them at plate. I felt this was a game we could have won, however, Ottawa put the lever down late in the game and we couldnt produce," said Coach Olson. 

Team Leaders:
Mackenzie Hughes - 6-12 at the plate, 1 RBI and 3 stolen bases
Madison Terres - 6-13 at the plate, 3 RBIs, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 1 stolen base, recorded a hit in all 4 games

On the Mound:
Lacey Mathiowetz - 14 IP, 8 H, 6 runs, 7 ks, 2 BBs
Autumn McGough - 4.2 IP, 4 H, 2 runs, 3 ks, 5 BBs
Baileigh Momberg - 7 IP, 16 H, 15 runs, 4 ks, 6 BBs

The Comets have Wednesday off and will be back in action for two more games on Thursday where they will take on old NSAA foe, Viterbo, and then William Penn to follow. All games are live streamed on the Comet Athletics Network channel on Youtube, however, the service has been spotty. 

"Overall, I think we are going to peak at the right time this season, when it counts in conference. Our preseason has been no joke against really tough competition and these good teams down here really test our ability to step up when we need to and challenge us to be more competitive. We really need to focus on winning each pitching offensively and defensively, but more importantly being a team," added Olson.

For full schedule details visit: https://msucomets.com/sports/softball/schedule