Great preseason has Cardinals excited for softball home opener Tuesday

Debbie Ward will play a big part in Bishop Ireton's season according Coach Terri Pearson

After playing three scrimmages in three days, the Bishop Ireton softball team is ready to open the season Tuesday afternoon at Luckett field against the Cadets of Saint Johns. The scrimmages against West Potomac, Wakefield and Flint Hill provided the game like conditions which fine tuned the team for the start of the season.

Wednesday night against a talented West Potomac squad Senior Micki Crouch split the pitching time with Sophomore Susie Rhodes. They were matched up with battery mates Debbie Ward and Heather Pearson. Katie Kiesner displayed her versatility playing both first and second base. At the end of the regulation 7 innings the Cardinals had done very well for themselves.

Thursday’s scrimmage with Wakefield gave Coach Pearson the chance to a good look all her players in a game stituation. Crouch again started at pitcher, walking two and hitting two batsman before settling down for a smooth second inning. Susie Rhodes finished the game striking out 9, while Crouch moved to short stop and went 2 for 4 at the plate. It was another strong outing for the Cardinals in their preseason preparation.

The wind and cold on Friday afternoon at Flint Hill did not cool off the cardinal bats. Debbie Ward, went 4 for 5 including a home run while driving in 4. Susie Rhodes went 3 for 5 and hit a home run of her own while pitching the whole game. The outfield of Kathleen Walsh, Maria Manzek, Katie Milam and Chrissy Snyder played tremendous defense handling wind blown balls throughout the cold afternoon. Once again, Ireton had a dominating preseason performance.

“The scrimmages gave our captains the opportunity to set the expectations for our new players while all the girls had the chance to play at game speed and see a wide variety of pitchers,” commented head coach Terri Pearson. “We were able to get better looks at the players and move them around the diamond to see what combinations of players and positions work best. We’ll take a well deserved rest over the weekend and be ready to start the regular season.”

The Cardinals open the season at home Tuesday at 4 pm against the Cadets of St Johns, then host perennial WCAC power Bishop O’Connell on Thursday.
Friday afternoon they travel to Richmond for a Saturday double header against St. Catherine’s and St. Anthony’s of Long Island, New York.