The Saint Xavier softball team traveled to Georgia over break to take on Brenau University, no. 11 Georgia Gwinnett College, and Truett-McConnell College. The Cougars swept Brenau and split both doubleheaders against Georgia Gwinnett and Truett-McConnell.
Sophomore infielder Abbie Carr, freshman infielder Kaitlyn Wright, junior infielder Alexus Reese, and junior pitcher Laila Summers helped carry Saint Xavier to their four wins over the course of three days.
Games started on Wednesday, March 8 versus Brenau University, the Cougars winning both games with scores of 7-4 and 9-2.
In game one against BU, Summers went the distance and allowed four runs on eight hits, as well as recording one strikeout.
The tone was set early when Reese drove in the first run of the game in the first with only one out. Saint Xavier scored two more runs in the first, as well as three more runs in the second inning.
Brenau had a three-run inning of their own in the fifth to cut the lead in half, but SXU answered back in the sixth with an insurance run. The Golden Tigers had eight hits on the day, but could not string together big hits in order to drive in runs like the Cougars did.
In game two, it was more of the same dominance from the SXU offense, scoring nine runs on 10 hits and taking advantage of six BU errors.
The game was tight through four innings, a 4-2 lead for the Cougars. An offensive explosion in the fifth inning put the game far out of Brenau’s reach, Saint Xavier scored five runs on three hits with help from two errors.
Wright was a big factor in this win, going 2-4 with three RBIs, including her first collegiate home run.
Junior pitcher, Alyssa Frey, also threw a complete game against BU, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out three batters.
The next day, Saint Xavier took on no. 11 Georgia Gwinnett. This was the first time facing the Grizzlies in the regular season, all previous matchups coming in the postseason (2019 and 2022).
It was a clean game, neither team committing any errors but SXU could only muster one run off of seven hits. GGC scored five runs between the third and fourth innings which was more than enough to seal the victory.
Reese went 2-2 in the first game with a double and a walk.
Game two against the ranked opponent provided much more offense from both teams, combining for 18 runs and 22 hits.
Georgia Gwinnett struggled on the defensive side of the ball, committing eight errors. They only played one inning of clean ball which undoubtedly worked against their efforts to win the game.
Frey started the game, giving up six hits and five runs before sophomore Julianne Claas entered in the third inning, picking up the win allowing just three runs over five innings of work.
Reese kept her bat hot, finishing the day 2-3 with a double, two RBIs, and two walks. Senior outfielders Lyda Robinson and Nicole Lovato also had two hits in the game.
Senior Sarah Bowen had the big hit of the day, a two-out, two-run double in the seventh broke the 8-8 tie and led the Cougars to the upset win of no. 11 Georgia Gwinnett.
In their last day of games on Friday the 10, Saint Xavier split the twin bill against Truett-McConnell. The Cougars saw a 2-0 (eight innings) victory in game one, and lost 6-4 in game two.
Game one versus the Bears was as evenly matched as it could have been, scoreless through seven innings. Saint Xavier had four hits and one error through seven innings and Truett-McConnell had three hits.
Summers threw all eight innings, absolutely dominating the TMC offense giving up just three hits, tallying five strikeouts, and allowing one walk.
Robinson delivered the game-winning RBI with a sac-fly in the eighth and Lovato provided an insurance run, scoring on an error.
There was more offense in the last game of the week, but not enough to carry SXU to a victory.
Reese and Bowen drove in three of the four runs (one unearned) but the Cougars left five runners on base, not taking advantage of all scoring opportunities.
The Bears’ offense was powered by two home runs, a solo shot in the first and a three-run blast in the second inning.
Claas and Frey combined for five innings, allowing six runs on 10 hits, each recording three strikeouts.
Freshman Olivia Balog tossed one inning, allowing no hits or walks and striking out one.
Despite a couple difficult losses, the Cougars battled all week and are showing just how good they can be. When pitching is dominant and things are clicking on offense, Saint Xavier is a very difficult team to beat.
The offense can be driven by power or by playing small ball, putting together hit after hit and taking advantage of their opponents mistakes.
Saint Xavier picks up play again on Sunday, March 19 against Lawrence Technological University at home. The first game is slated for a 2pm first pitch, game two is scheduled to start following the completion of game one.