Lady Crusaders Prevail Over Valley Forge

The Lady Crusaders took the field on Saturday expecting tough competition from Valley Forge, and that was exactly what they were faced with. Junior pitcher Mary Solitario struggled to find her rhythm in the first two innings, but with the support of her team behind her, managed to regain control.

The team had only 2 errors in 7 innings, yet Valley Forge fought well and scored a total of 9 runs. However the Lady Crusaders battled as well, and proved to be stronger on the offensive end; Mary-Grace Handy set the tone with a triple to lead off the first inning, and then was batted in by Senior Annie Adams. By the end of the 4th inning, the Crusaders were ahead 9-7.

Every player in the line-up was hitting against the Valley Forge pitcher; Mary Solitario and Sophie Adams contributed in the 2nd with doubles; Bridget Handy hit a 2-run homerun in the 4th (her 2nd of the season), and Annemarie Speer had a line drive hit to center field for a double in the 6th.

Despite their skilled hitters, Valley Forge could not match Christendom's aggressive batting and base running. Annie Adams took the mound for the last 3 innings, and fought a hard battle. In the top of the 7th inning, with the bases loaded and the tying run on second base, Adams got the best of the batter and caused her to foul off a ball, which was then caught by Solitario to end the game.

The Crusaders won the first game of this doubleheader with a score of 12-9.