Finally, after the dramatically cold weather passed, SXU women’s softball finally got on the field on the first day of April.
Even though winter ended before Apr. 1 the cold weather decided to stick around and try to end the hot streak of the Cougars.
After 12 games got canceled or postponed the Cougars finally took the field for the first time since their fantastic Florida trip, which saw them go 14-2 to start the season.
They played CCAC opponent Robert Morris University in their first home game of the season.
It took a couple weeks to get back on the field but SXU picked up right where they left off, beating Robert Morris in both games of the doubleheader 8-0 and 6-0.
SXU outhit Robert Morris 22-4 between the two home games.
Sophomore pitcher Nicole Nonnemacher improved her record on the year to 7-1.
She pitched seven scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and gave up only two walks and three hits on the afternoon.
Nicole also helped out her own cause by going 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI. Junior left fielder Katie Sears led the Cougars by going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
Senior pitcher Megan Nonnemacher had another great pitching performance, striking out three while only walking one en route to giving up no runs in five innings of work to also improve to 7-1.
Senior right fielder Katie Houlihan was impressive at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs.
RBI doubles by first-year third basemen Franschesca Graffeo and senior pinch hitter Ariel Hinton broke the game open.
After the sweep No. 4 SXU took on Calumet College of St. Joseph on the road in a makeup doubleheader from Mar. 25.
The Cougars dropped the first game 4-3 for their first and only loss since losing to Marian University (Ind.) on the Florida trip back on March 15.
Nicole was not as impressive in this outing, giving up the walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
She struck out eight but gave up seven hits and two earned runs in six innings of work. It was uncharacteristic outing for her as normally she pitches lights out. She has a 0.40 ERA on the season.
Sears, Houlihan and first-year shortstop Savannah Kinsella recorded the 3 RBIs for the Cougars during the game.
In the second game the Cougars recovered from the walk-off loss to win in nine innings 3-2.
The senior Nonnemacher pitched another strong game–nine innings with 10 strikeouts, four hits and two earned runs.
The game remained scoreless until the ninth inning after it was tied 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI double.
Nonnemacher stepped to the plate as a designated hitter and delivered an RBI single that scored Sears.
The big hit proved to be the difference as the Cougars picked up a nice win to split.
Two more games against Trinity International University got postponed on the schedule after the split with CCSJ.
The Cougars had to settle for going on the road to Clinton, Iowa, to play Ashford University in another doubleheader.
SXU dominated once again with another sweep by scores of 2-0 and 9-0.
Meghan pitched the first game, striking out 8 and allowing only two hits and zero earned runs.
Her sister was just as impressive in striking out 10 with no walks and three hits.
The amazing pitching duo held Ashford to just five hits in two games and one walk.
Sophomore second basemen Kasey Kanaga was great at the plate in both games, registering four hits, three runs, two walks and an RBI.
Sears scored two runs and an RBI, finishing 2-for-4 on the afternoon and Hinton chipped in two more hits and an RBI.
SXU has a home doubleheader against Trinity Christian College on Thursday at 3 p.m.
Damone Griffin
Sports Editor