The Saint Xavier Cougars softball team has had an amazing year so far, going 23-5 up to this point. A good chunk of this success is thanks to the amazing seniors on the team.
These seniors had to go through hardships in their time on the team, from losing in the NAIA World Series in their first year to not even making the NAIA World Series in their next two years.
This year, the Cougars seem to be on the track to repeating their NAIA World Series run from a few years ago.
This class of seniors was honored for their hard work and dedication for the team on April 12th before they played the Cardinal Stritch Wolves in a doubleheader. The Wolves entered the doubleheader with a 14-14 record.
In game one, SXU kicked off the scoring in the bottom of the third inning with a RBI single from catcher Brittany Schultz. The next inning, the Cougars added to their lead with a RBI single from second baseman Lexxie Lux and a sacrifice fly from right fielder Tori Williams.
The Cougars entered the fifth inning with a 3-0 lead. Saint Xavier kept piling on, with Brittany Schultz hitting a home run to put SXU up 4-0 going into the sixth inning. The Wolves managed to cut the SXU lead to just two in the top of the sixth thanks to a RBI single and a RBI double.
However, Saint Xavier fired right back in the bottom half of the inning, scoring four runs thanks to a RBI single from Tori Williams and a three run home run from Amanda Ruskowsky. The Cougars eventually won the game 8-2.
Later that day, the Cougars played the Wolves in game two of the doubleheader. The Wolves got off to a quick start in the top of the second inning with a RBI single to put them up 1-0.
Saint Xavier fired back in the bottom half of the inning, scoring a run thanks to a single from left fielder Frankie Demack.
The Wolves immediately responded in the top of the third by scoring a run thanks to a fielding error from SXU shortstop Tori Keilman.
The Wolves added onto their lead in the top of the fifth inning with a RBI single from designated player Lauren Stoch.
Going into the bottom of the sixth, the Wolves were up 3-1. The Cougars needed an answer and they needed one fast. Luckily for them, they got the answer in the bottom of the sixth.
With two baserunners on, third baseman Nicole O’Donnell stepped up to the plated and absolutely crushed the ball to deep center field. O’Donnell hit a long home run, scoring three and giving SXU a 4-3 lead.
SXU sent in Allison Golic to close things down in the top of the seventh inning and she did so successfully, giving the Cougars the victory. Saint Xavier improved to 25-5 with the two victories, while Cardinal Stritch fell to 14-16 with the two losses.
Sadly, the Cougars finished the week with two losses to Olivet Nazarene University that sent them to a 25-7 record.
Saint Xavier doesn’t play again until April 23 & 24th, when they wrap up the season against Indiana University-South Bend and Lewis University at the SXU Softball Field.
Chris Leonchik
Sports Editor