CLERMONT, Fla. – The Saint Mary's University fastpitch softball team kicked off its season in impressive fashion Saturday evening, as the Cardinals erupted for 14 runs on 12 hits — including a 3-for-4, 4-RBI showing by
Mackenzie Carey (Prescott, Wis.) — in rolling to a 14-0, five-inning victory over Neumann Saturday afternoon.
The Cardinals scored in every one of their five at-bats, plating three runs in the first, one in the second, four in the third, five in the fourth and one more in the sixth en route to the five-inning victory.
Carey was not the only Cardinal feasting on Neumann pitching Saturday evening, as
Allison Ciero (Glen Ellyn, Ill., making her collegiate debut, was a perfect 3-for-3 with a pair of runs scored, and
Erin Sullivan (Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) added a 2-for-2, 3-RBI performance.
Riley Hall (Dallas Center, Iowa),
Cassie Sutor (Chicago, Ill.),
Sophie Cave (Maplewood, Minn.), and
Amy Kulaga (Riverside, Ill.) accounted for SMU's other four hits.
Sarah Kraus (Onalaska, Wis.) went the first two inning in the pitcher's circle, surrendering just one hit, while striking out three and walking two.
Amelia Spilde (Brooklyn, Wis.) tossed the final three innings, giving up just two hits and striking out four.
The Cardinals (1-0 overall) are right back in action on Sunday, squaring off against Cabrini (11:45 a.m.) and Wartburg (2:15 p.m.) in a pair of nonconference games at Legends Way Complex in Clermont, Fla.
