Pearson Walk off Grand Slam ends busy week for Cardinals

Heather Pearson's grand slam in the bottom of the 7th gave the Cardinals a thrilling walk off win, the team's 7th in their final 8 games.

Heather Pearson’s walk off grand slam closed out Bishop Ireton’s softball regular season with a bang Saturday afternoon at Luckett field as the Cardinals defeated Bishop McNamara 5-4. The win closes out an intense week of 4 games in as many days.

The rain compressed week started Wednesday at Good Counsel where Ireton built a 6-0 lead on 3 for 5 hitting from Megan Sullivan and strong pitching from Susie Rhodes. Good Counsel rallied back in the bottom of the seventh, narrowing the score to 6-5 before the Cardinal’s defense stiffened and closed out the game with the win.

On Thursday, Ireton hosted the nation’s #2 ranked team in perennial WCAC powerhouse Bishop O’Connell. Superb outfield defense led by Maria Manzek, Emily Quinn and Kathleen Walsh helped keep the score close before eventually falling 8-0. University of Missouri recruit Tori FInucane struck out 16 Ireton batters and gave up a single hit to Junior Megan Sullivan.

Friday was senior day allowing the team to recognize graduating seniors Sarah Howell, Emily Quinn, Kathleen Walsh, Eileen Loiuson and Claire Nagle in pregame ceremonies and at the post game party. The Cardinals struck early against the visiting Huskies of Flint Hill jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Doubles by Megan Sullivan and Molly Jeffers combined with a Heather Pearson triple provided enough offense for the battery of Susie Rhodes and Sarah Howell to coast to a 4-1 victory.

A tired Ireton squad returned to Luckett Saturday afternoon with many players coming directly from taking the SATs to face the Mustangs of Bishop McNamara. The Cardinals fell behind quickly and found themselves down 4-1 in the game’s last frame. Singles by Molly Jeffers and Emily Quinn combined with a walk for Maria Manzek loaded the bases. Pearson sent the second pitch over the center fielder’s head and she sprinted around the bases to score the winning run.

“Am so very proud of the girls,” praised a proud head coach, Terri Pearson. “It was a very challenging week; they remained upbeat and supported each other through it all.”

With Saturday’s win, the squad finishes the season with a 13-12 winning record. They are winners of 7 of their past 8 games as they head into the WCAC tournament.