Cardinal Softball ends another successful campaign

2012 Cardinals qualified for state playoffs and advanced to WCAC semifinals

After finishing the regular season with an 11-11 record, the Cardinal softball team entered the post season. The girls defeated PVI 9-2 in the WCAC
quarterfinals before losing to the 25^th ranked team in the country, Bishop O’Connell in the semi finals. In the state tournament the team lost to Saint Stephens/St. Agnes in the first round.

Seven Cardinals were voted by the WCAC and VISAA coaches for season honors. Senior Debbie Ward was named first team All-WCAC and second team All State. Debbie pounded out 33 hits, 3 home runs and 3 triples on the season, getting the attention of opposing coaches. She will play at Mount Olive College next year. Senior pitcher Micki Crouch struck out over 120 batters this season on her way to a place on the All WCAC first team. In her last at bat in an Ireton uniform, she spanked a home run over the fence at SSSA. Micki will play for Dickenson College next year. Senior Co-Captain Katie Kiesner received an honorable mention from the coaches and will be remembered in part for defensive versatility and her grand slam against Ryken.

Both of the team’s juniors, Emily Quinn and Kathleen Walsh received honorable mention recognition and will be coming back to lead next year’s team. Despite missing much of the season due to injury, Sophomore Susie Rhodes was named to the All WCAC second team, after receiving honorable mention honors last year. Sophomore Heather Pearson received All WCAC first team and All State first team honors.

“We are going to miss this group of talented seniors and I am so thrilled that two of them will be playing at the college level,” commented second year coach Terri Pearson. “Meanwhile, we have a solid core of players returning for next year to keep building the program.”