Alexus Reese playing first base during a game in 2023 SXU Athletics
The Saint Xavier softball team started their 2024 campaign this past weekend, playing two double headers on Saturday the 10 and Sunday the 11, going 3-1.
Laila Summers and junior Julianne Claas went 1-1 and 2-0, respectively, in the games.
No. 24 SXU vs. William Penn University (IA): 8-3 (W)
In their opening game, the Cougars’ offense truly put on a show setting the tone by scoring early and often, scoring in five innings.
Sophomore infielder Kaitlyn Wright led the way, finishing 4-4 at the plate with a two-bagger and three RBIs.
Senior infielder Alexus Reese also drove in three runs and recorded a double, going 2-4 in game one.
Scoring for SXU got started in the first with a Reese ground-rule double to drive in her first run of the season.
Claas went the distance in her first start of 2024, scattering 10 hits in seven innings and allowing just three runs. She also recorded four strikeouts and gave up one walk.
No. 24 SXU vs. Madonna University (MI): 1-4 (L)
In their second game of the first double-header of the weekend, the offense struggled to string together enough hits, mustering up just one run over seven innings.
Madonna and SXU had six hits each, but MU cashed in in the sixth to take the lead.
It was smooth sailing for Summers up until the sixth, when the Crusaders offense rallied for four runs (three earned) on four hits.
Unfortunately, SXU could not get their own rally started for a come-from-behind victory.
No. 24 SXU vs. Concordia University (MI): 3-0 (W)
Looking to erase the tough loss to Madonna from the day before, Summers took the mound against Concordia and completely shut down their offense.
Tossing another seven innings, Summers allowed just three hits while K’ing three CU batters.
Saint Xavier’s offense scored their only earned run in the first, a single off the bat of Reese to left driving in freshman infielder Aubrey Wroble.
The Cougars scored two more runs in the third with the help of two consecutive errors from Concorida’s defense.
This was a great bounceback win for the Cougars, the offense taking advantage of mistakes and Summers locking down her opponents from start to finish.
No. 24 SXU vs. MU: 2-1 (W)
Both team’s pitchers were at the top of their games, Claas going six innings and giving up one run on seven hits, tallying one strikeout and walk each.
Madonna’s starter was looking to put together a complete game shutout, she had a 0-1 lead into the seventh, just one out away from taking both games against SXU.
The seventh started off with a single from junior right fielder Kyla Kissee, advancing to second on a fielder’s choice in the next at-bat. An infield single from sophomore outfielder Andriana Kilias put another runner on, a small rally starting in the seventh.
Wroble, up with two gone and the tying run in scoring position, singled to center to tie the game and put the go-ahead run on third.
Sophomore outfielder Hayley Matlock came up next and singled to third base, Kilias coming in to score the winning run.
Summers came in for the save in the seventh and the Cougars walked out with a double-header sweep.
SXU will play in the Saint Ambrose Dome Tournament this weekend with their first game on Saturday the 17 against William Penn University. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.