Softball overcomes weather, Norfolk Academy in weekend action

Cardinals posted a key in-state win over Norfolk Academy Saturday at St Stephens/St Agnes School when wet grounds fouled a three-game weekend series

BI varsity softball improved their record to 5-2 Saturday morning with a 7-1 win against Norfolk Academy. Micki Crouch struck out eight while the defense played error free ball behind her. Freshman Heather Pearson went 3 for 3 at the plate and drove in 4 runs.

The nightcap of the weather-altered weekend was scrubbed as afternoon showers rained out the original Friday afternoon date with Norfolk Academy, then the St Catherine’s contest rescheduled for 4pm. The adjusted schedule bumped the Highlands School game for Saturday because City fields were not available and, like St Catherine’s, will not be rescheduled.

As has become characteristic, the Cardinals gave up a run in the first inning. They rallied back in the bottom of the first with three hits, but came up empty handed after loading the bases. The offense came back strong again in the second when Sarah Howell, Meghan Sullivan and Micki Crouch had consecutive hits and were then driven in by a Heather Pearson sacrifice fly and a Debbie Ward single making the score 3-1.

Though Norfolk Academy scattered seven hits, fine defensive work and timely strike outs kept them off the scoreboard. In the 4^th inning and with a runner at first, junior second baseman Katie Keisner snagged a sharply hit line drive and then threw quickly to first, doubling up the base runner. A fine catch by right fielder Kathleen Walsh in the 6^th inning stopped a Norfolk Academy rally before it could get started.

The Cardinals tacked on 3 more runs in the 4^th inning as they batted around. Another run was added in the 5^th as timely hitting and aggressive base running pressured the Norfolk Academy defense.

“Going into the game I was a little worried about how well the girls would do with an early Saturday morning game, but they came ready to play,” said coach Terri Pearson on the win. “Importantly, this is two error free games in row for us.”

The Cardinals have 4 games scheduled this week including home games against Good Counsel, Bishop O’Connell and Saint Mary’s Ryken.