As odd as I can be on a daily basis I still understand how to approach a situation logically. In softball it is simple logic if a team cannot score runs then they will not beat their opponent.
I call this thought logic the SXU’s Softball team would simply call it a winning strategy and oh how they execute it to near perfection.
Saint Xavier (42-5-1, 17-2-1) broke two records last week on Tuesday, April 22 ,during their two wins in a double-header against Judson University.
The Cougars beat Judson University 3-1 to push their winning streak to a program best 20 games and in the process broke an NAIA record for consecutive innings played without allowing a run.
The previous record was held by California Baptist at 57.1 innings and SXU only needed 3.1 innings of shutout work to break the record.
SXU got that and more from their dynamic pitching and defense as SXU ran their ridiculous scoreless streak to 60.2 innings before Judson scored on a RBI single in the top of fourth to take a 1-0 lead.
Even though the streak was broken SXU still rallied in the bottom of the sixth to take the lead.
Junior centerfielder Shannon Lauret hit an RBI single to tie the game at one and then first-year shortstop Franchesca Graffeo gave the Cougars the lead for good with another RBI single.
Junior catcher Megan James finished off the scoring with a sacrifice fly to make it 3-1 which would prove to be the final score.
Senior pitcher Megan Nonnemacher was excellent on the mound, going all seven innings with one earned run, five hits, and six strikeouts.
In the second game the Cougars extended their winning streak to 21 with a 6-1 victory to finish off the sweep.
Sophomore Nicole Nonnemacher pitched another gem, going all seven innings by allowing one run, four hits, and striking out 16 batters.
The game was highlighted by an RBI triple in the bottom of the sixth by N. Nonnemacher and sacrifice bunt laid down by junior first basemen Amanda Hainlen.
After the sweep of Judson No. 9 SXU then went on to face No. 4 Olivet Nazarene University in a huge CCAC double-header.
It took 21 games and top-5 opponent but SXU was finally defeated by a score of 5-2 in game one. It was their first loss since a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Calumet College of St. Joseph.
The Tigers’ win was highlighted by a three-run home run by sophomore leftfielder Lindsey Krippel in the bottom of the second inning, which gave the Tigers a four run lead.
SXU had a runner on in the top of seventh after cutting the deficit to three but the next three batters came up short as Olive took the win.
M. Nonnemacher had a tough outing striking out nine but gave up seven hits and five earned runs on the afternoon.
The next was a dogfight that ended in a 2-2 tie after eight innings because of darkness.
Hainlen blasted a two-run home run in the top of the fourth to give the Cougars a 2-0 advantage.
Krippel would counter in the bottom of the sixth with another big homer for the Tigers that made it 2-2.
As it went into extras, darkness would encase the field and the game had to be called, ending Olivet’s ridiculous 43 game winning streak.
N. Nonnemacher also gave up seven hits but yielded only two runs and striking 10 in eight innings of work.
The Cougars continued to their journey on the road playing Purdue University-Calumet.
SXU had to settle for a split in this series after they won game one 4-2 but lost game two 0-1.
In the first game M. Nonnemacher earned her 81st career win as a pitcher for SXU, breaking the program record. She finished with seven strikeouts and a walk with two earned runs in seven innings of action.
Game two saw the Peregrines shutout the Cougars 1-0 with the only run being scored off of a solo home run by PUC.
N. Nonnemacher absorbed the loss even though she pitched well, fanning 13 and allowing only two walks.
The team finished out their regular season with sweeps of Siena Heights University and Concordia University.
N. Nonnemacher (18-3) ended the season with her 16th shutout a 4-0 win against Concordia University.
The team will start play in the CCAC Tournament Thursday May 1 at SXU’s Softball Field, so come out and support the Cougars.
Damone Griffin
Sports Editor