Laila Summers pitching against IUSB, 2024 SXU Athletics
SXU softball split their double header home opener against Indiana University at South Bend and swept their double header at University of Saint Francis. Following the weekend’s games, their record stands at 15-9 and 3-1 in conference.
The win against IUSB was led by senior Laila Summers and senior first baseman Alexus Reese. Summers threw her fourth shutout of the season and Reese racked up four RBIs.
Game One, SXU vs. IUSB: 10-0 (Five Innings, W)
In their first game on their new field, SXU took a commanding win as Summers completely shut down IUSB and the Cougars touched home plate 10 times.
Saint Xavier got to scoring early and often, tallying four runs in their half of the first.
After sophomore outfielder Hayley Matlock reached on an error and sophomore infielder Kaitlyn Wright walked, Reese drove both of them in with a double to right center; but scoring didn’t stop here.
Junior catcher Lindsey Morgan also recorded two RBIs in the first with a single.
SXU scored two more in the second, one in the third, and three in the fourth to put a cap on their 2024 home opener.
Summers’ final statline was five innings pitched, three hits, zero runs, and two strikeouts for her ninth win of the season.
Reese finished the day 3-3 with a double, four RBIs, and a run. Meanwhile, junior designated player Abbie Carr was 1-3 with a home run in the fourth, her first of the season.
Game Two, SXU vs. IUSB: 2-0 (L)
The second game of the day was a different story for the Cougars as the offense couldn’t muster anything together to push runs across the plate.
Junior Julianne Claas got the nod in game two, tossing 5.1 strong innings before Summers came in relief for the final 1.2 innings after IUSB’s two runs in the sixth.
SXU had four hits to IUSB’s five, but wasn’t able to string together hits for runs.
It was a tight game through five innings, neither team scoring until IUSB hit a solo home run in the sixth with one out to break the tie. Following the home run, the Titans also recorded a triple that would come in to score after the pitching change.
The Cougars tried to get something started in their half of the sixth with a leadoff walk followed up by a single, but their efforts unfortunately fell short.
Game One, SXU vs. USF: 4-3 (W)
Game one against USF was a tough competition through and through; just one run scored through five innings.
SXU’s offense was kept at bay through five innings with just two hits, but the Cougars opened up the game in the sixth.
Wright got the offense going with a solo shot to center to tie the game, and the offense poured on three more runs in the inning.
USF tried to make a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, scoring two to make it a one-run game again, but Summers held the Fighting Saints off to secure the win.
Summers earned her tenth win of the season, allowing three runs on five hits and collecting six strikeouts in seven innings.
Wright was 1-4 with a home run, sophomore designated player Taylor Becker had a couple knocks including a double, and junior left fielder Maddi Stahulak was 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Game Two, SXU vs. USF: 10-7 (W)
Both offenses had great performances in game two but the Cougars’ proved to be the better– taking the season series over Saint Franics.
Saint Xavier produced runs in five of the seven innings, including a four-spot in the sixth.
Reese set the tone in the first with a solo home run to left center to give her team a quick lead.
In the fourth, Stahulak scored on a Matlock single to the pitcher and Wright drove in two more with a double to center.
The offense kept going, coming up with four insurance runs in the sixth. Matlock scored on a wild pitch, Carr drove in two with a single, and senior second baseman Brooke Koran drove in run number 10 with a single to left.
Claas got the start, going 3.1 innings and allowing 3 runs on five hits, four walks, and two strikeouts.
Freshman Hailey Wesner made her collegiate debut in two innings of relief and picked up the win. She allowed three runs on four hits and struck out one. Summers came in for 1.2 innings of relief to close out the game.
The Cougars are starting to find the long ball and as warmer temperatures are on the horizon, more home runs should come with it.
SXU’s next set of games are today, Wed. the 10 at Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting, IN. The first pitch of game one is scheduled for 3 p.m. with game two slated for 5 p.m.