WAUWATOSA, Wis. – The sun was shining on a beautiful Friday for softball for Mount Mary's softball home opener, but it was crosstown rival Cardinal Stritch that took home a pair of victories by a matching 13-0 shutout victories at Hart Park.
Mount Mary looked strong in the first game, as the Stritch batters struggled adjusting to sophomore hurler Dani Christian (Pelican Lake, Wis.) in the circle. Christian, paired with a stout infield defense, held the Wolves scoreless through the first two innings of play—by far the Blue Angels' best start of the season.
Mount Mary threatened in the bottom of the second as senior Ashley Leverenz (Mauston, Wis.) notched a two-out single through the right side. Freshman Michelle Argenzio reached on a fielding error by the first baseman, advancing Leverenz to third. But a big ensuing strikeout for the Wolves' pitcher stifled the threat. Mount Mary would only muster one other hit—a single up the middle by Christian in the fourth—as Stritch tacked on three runs in the third and a massive 10-run outburst in the fourth to seal the game one victory.
While there were plenty of runners on base for Stritch in game two, Mount Mary did a good job of keeping them there as 11 Wolves were left on base in the second stanza. Yet the offensive drought continued for the Blue Angels, who tallied only three hits in the game. Senior Katie Wolk (Oshkosh, Wis.) knocked one through the left side in the first inning, Leverenz picked up here second hit of the day in the second inning and Christian added hit No. 2 in the fourth.
The pitching tandem of Christian and Edwards each picked up a loss on the day, but it has shown great improvement as the season progresses. With eight games remaining—four in the next two days—their continued ability to keep the ball in play will be crucial heading into the home stretch.
Saturday the Blue Angels will be back in action, hosting the Vikings of North Park University. Game time for the double-header is set for 1 pm and 3 pm at Hart Park.
