Sophomore Kathleen Walsh makes a running catch in the Cardinals' 9-3 win over PVI in first round WCAC playoff action Tuesday
Using timely batting, lights out pitching and solid defense Cardinal softball defeated Paul VI 9-3 in the opening round of the WCAC tournament advancing to the semifinal game for the first time in over 4 years. Micki Crouch struck out 8 and allowed only 5 hits while freshman Susie Rhodes went 4 for 4 with 2 doubles and 3 RBI’s. The win gives Ireton a 14-8 record overall.
After retiring visiting PVI in order during the first, Ireton jumped ahead to a 2-0 lead. Heather Pearson doubled to right and Debbie Ward drove her in with a booming triple to right center field. Susie Rhodes then brought her home with her first double of the game. Micki Crouch then struck out the PVI side in the second and the Ireton bats went back to work. With two outs, Heather Pearson tripled and then stole home on a wild pitch. After Ward drew a walk, Rhodes again doubled to center field to make the score 4-0.
In the third inning, Crouch again struck out the side and Ireton scored 2 more runs. After being hit by a pitch, Megan Sullivan was moved up to second by a speedy Emily Quinn who beat out an infield hit down the third base line. A Caroline Boddie sacrifice moved up the runners before Micki Crouch smacked a first pitch double to center field making the score 6-0.
With the top of the PVI order in the 4th inning, the Panthers staged their only rally of the game scoring 3 runs on 4 hits. But, the Cardinals came right back with another 2 runs in their half of the inning. Susie Rhodes singled and catcher Meghan Pearson walked setting the bases for Katie Kiesner who singled in Rhodes. Maria Manzek, running for the catcher, scored on a fielder’s choice by pinch hitter Sarah Howell. Ireton added its final run in the fifth when senior Caroline Boddie scored on a Rhodes single.
“We played our best game of the year today with great defense and good at bats up and down the lineup,” commented coach Terri Pearson. “Hopefully, we can sustain this level of play throughout the WCAC and state tournaments.”
The Cardinals travel to Bishop O’connell on Thursday for the WCAC semifinals.
| Batting | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO |
| M Crouch | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| H Pearson | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| D Ward | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| S Rhodes | 4 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| M Pearson | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| K Kiesner | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| M Sullivan | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| E Quinn | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C Boddie | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| S Howell | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| M Manzek | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 31 | 9 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 3 |
2B: M Crouch, H Pearson, S Rhodes 2
3B: H Pearson, D Ward
TB: M Crouch 2, H Pearson 5, D Ward 3, S Rhodes 6, M Pearson 2, K Kiesner, E Quinn, C Boddie
RBI: M Crouch 2, D Ward, S Rhodes 3, K Kiesner, S Howell
S: C Boddie
ROE: M Crouch, E Quinn
FC: K Kiesner, C Boddie, S Howell
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