Out in sunny Arizona, The Saint Xavier softball team began their 2018 season. Not having the brace the Chicago cold, the Cougars got off to a nice start to their season, collecting an 8-4 record out in the TIG Spring Games before coming back home.
They opened the season against Dakota Wesleyan in the TIG Spring Games, but would fall short in a nail-biter 4-3. Second baseman Lexxie Lux went 1-3 with a RBI, centerfielder Frankie Demack went 1-2 with a RBI and first baseman Taylor Sterkowitz led the way with two hits and a RBI also. Despite the strong performances, Dakota Wesleyan would hit a walkoff single in the bottom of the 7th inning for the win.
The second game of the season also didn’t go as planned as the Cougars lost to Indiana Wesleyan in a 9-6 ballgame. Lux, Denmark and Sterkowitz would continue their strong starts to the season, while catcher Brittany Schultz hit a home run. Despite the loss, the cougars offense appeared to get in the swing of things for the season.
The Cougars would pick up their first victory against Mount Mary, due to some clutch timely hitting. Starting pitcher Caroline Kuzel pitched four quality innings and Allison Golic pitched three scoreless innings. The biggest play of the game came in the bottom of the 6th inning when catcher Brittany Schultz hit a grand slam to put the Cougars on top 6-3.
After getting their first victory, the Cougars bats would get as hot as the Arizona heat. Tallying ten runs courtesy of four RBI’s from shortstop Tori Keilman, two from right fielder Tori Williams, and two more from catcher Jesse Hanna. Other contributions would help lift the Cougars to an impressive 10-4 victory.
The impressive streak for the Cougars would continue against Missouri Valley as the Cougars would dominate throughout the whole contest. The Cougar’s displayed a monster first inning collecting eight hits and tallying a total of ten runs in the top of the frame. The cougars would take on a couple more insurance runs, but the ten spot in the first inning was all the team needed as Golic had another impressive outing on the mound in the 12-2 victory.
Fisher college would be the next team to feel the wrath of the Cougars firepower offense. This time the Cougars big inning came in the third as they gained 8 hits, to go along with 2 errors, to drive in 7 runs. Annalise Scott would go on to pitch a complete game gem, only giving up four hits, no earned runs, and seven strikeouts gaining the win in a 11-1 ballgame.
The Cougars streak would end against Concordia, but bats didn’t cool down. Trailing in the 12-7 in the bottom of the 7th, the Cougars would manage to pull within four with Schultz coming up with the bases loaded. Just like her clutch performance against Mount Mary, she belted a grand slam to tie the game up. The honorable comeback wouldn’t last long, as Concordia would explode for seven runs in the top of the 8th inning, giving them the 19-12 victory.
Following the Concordia loss, the Cougars hit another snag in the road as they fell to Siena Heights University 8-2. Despite the two losses the Cougars would go back to their winning ways yet again.
The Cougars would finish their last four games in Arizona with wins. Starting off with an 9-1 victory against Dickinson State University following another strong pitching outing from Golic.
Against Northwestern College, Alexandria Maguire would hit a clutch single in the bottom of the 6th inning for the 5-4 lead. Kuzel would shut down the Northwestern offense in the top of the 7th to give the Cougars the win.
The Cougars would finish out the Arizona trip winning their last two games. Demack led the way against Viterbo University, with a 3-3 game, which included a home run. Denmack would continue to impress as she drove in three runs in a 8-0 victory against Presentation College.
The Cougars ended the Arizona trip with an 8-4 record. They’ll play their first home game on March 17 against Aquinas College.
Dominic Pellegrini
Sports Reporter