Softball’s infield huddling at the pitcher’s mound SXU Athletics
On Saturday, April 13, SXU softball took on Saint Ambrose University in a doubleheader, dropping the first game but coming back with a win in game two. Their record moved to 17-11 and 5-3 in conference.
In addition to their two games, Saint Xavier honored their four seniors prior to the start of games two; pitcher Laila Summers, infielder Alexus Reese, infielder Brooke Koran, and outfielder Devin Dubsky.
Game One, SXU vs. SAU: 4-1 (L)
The first of the two games was a tough one for SXU, they were only able to push one run across the plate.
Junior shortstop Abbie Carr provided the only RBI in the game; a solo home run to left center for her second on the year.
The Fighting Bees came back and took a 3-1 lead in the third due to timely hitting and good base running. SAU scored an insurance run in the fourth with an RBI single to center.
Summers took the loss but still went the distance in this one. Her final statline consisted of eight strikeouts, four runs, and eight hits in seven innings.
Despite SXU also having eight hits, they just couldn’t string together enough hits to drive in more runs.
Game Two, SXU vs. SAU: 5-1 (W)
Saint Xavier flipped the switch for game two against Saint Ambrose, driving in five runs on 11 hits, while their opponent was held to just two hits across seven innings.
Freshman left fielder Aubrey Wroble started the Cougars off with a lead-off single, followed by a stolen base and an advancement to third on a ground ball before sophomore right fielder Hayley Matlock drove her in with an RBI single to center.
Scoring didn’t stop in the first though, Reese drove in Matlock with an RBI single down the left field line to give SXU an early 2-0 lead.
The Cougars added a run in the second, fourth, and fifth to keep the pressure on the Saint Ambrose hitters.
Reese slugged her second homer of the year in the fifth with a solo shot to left to make it a 5-0 game.
SAU scored a run in the sixth on an error, but it wasn’t nearly enough to start a comeback.
Junior Julianne Claas tossed her seventh complete game of the season capturing her fifth win. She allowed six walks, but countered these with seven strikeouts while only allowing two hits across the seven innings.
Saint Xavier looks sharp as the regular season is winding down. They currently sit in third place in CCAC standings, below University of Saint Francis (7-3) and Roosevelt University (6-2).
The Cougars definitely have a good shot at sneaking into second place in the CCAC, if not first. They hold the tiebreaker over USF after sweeping the season series, and despite RU being first in conference, they’re a below .500 team otherwise.
SXU’s next games are Saturday the 20 at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL. First pitch of game one is scheduled for Noon and game two for 2:00 p.m.