Another Weekend Split for MSJ Softball

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - The Mount St. Joseph University softball team traveled south for the second weekend in a row for a pair of double-headers. This time they traveled to Montgomery, Alabama to play William Peace and Huntingdon on back-to-back days. On Saturday they defeated William Peace 9-1, before falling to Huntingdon 5-0, then on Sunday they won 7-4 over William Peace before falling again to Huntingdon 3-1.

GAME ONE | MSJ 9 - William Peace 1

In game one of the weekend, Coach Beth Goderwis sent her senior ace Casey Kemp to the circle to start the game. Kemp was outstanding, allowing a run in the bottom of the first then shutting the Pacers out the rest of the way. In her fourth start of the season she threw her fourth consecutive complete game, allowing six hits, and a single earned run while striking out four Pacer hitters.

The Lions got the scoring underway in the top of the first inning, having a pair of runs cross the plate. They loaded the bases for Maddie Kennedy, who put a ball in play to drive in one run, an error on the Pacers allowed the second run to score.. 

William Peace answered with one in the bottom of the first inning. Each squad was scoreless over the next two frames, before the Lions added a pair in the fourth. Courtney Keller led off with a single up the middle, Emily McDonald singled through the right side. Kylie Hankenhof drove in the first run of the inning before the Lions executed a double-steal for their second. 

They would go on to add three in the sixth and another two runs in the seventh to win the game 7-1

GAME TWO | Huntingdon 5 - MSJ 0

In a game in which the teams combined for just eight hits, it was a pair of homeruns by Huntingdon that were the difference. 

After Keller struggled and allowed five earned runs, over the first inning plus she was replaced by Hailey Johnson. Johnson was fantastic out of the bullpen allowing only a single hit over 5.0 innings, with 3 strikeouts. 

Offensively the Lions managed only three hits in the game, Avery Wiltermood, McDonald and Keller each had one. 

GAME THREE | MSJ 7 - William Peace 4

Despite her struggles on Saturday, Keller came back to start this game and was much more sharp. She pitched 5.1 innings, three hits and a pair of earned runs which earned her the first win of her 2024 season. Lauren Miller closed out the game throwing the final 1.2 innings allowing 3 hits, but did not allow a run.

Offensively the Lions got the party started, with two runs in the in bottom of the second inning. Keller led off with a double to the right center fence, Macy Cornelius then laced an RBI triple into left center and Hankenhof lifted a sacrifice fly into left. 

They would add five more in the fourth inning. Cornelius singled, Hankenhof doubled and Wiltermood walked to load the bases with two outs. Alayna Flynn then hit an infield single to drive in the first of the inning and leave the bases loaded. Thats when Maddie Kennedy stepped in and hit a long grandslam homerun to straight away left field. 

William Peace looked to try to get back into it with one in the fifth and two in the sixth but Miller shut the door to secure the Lions win.

GAME FOUR | Huntingdon 3 - MSJ 1

The second game of the weekend vs. unbeaten Huntingdon, coach Goderwis turned the ball to Kemp to try to shutdown the Hawks. Kemp did an outstanding job, once again going the distance, allowing five hits and three earned runs. 

This game was a pitcher's dual, as once again the teams struggled offensively and only combined for nine hits in this one. 

Huntingdon was the first to score with a three-spot in the bottom of the third inning. The Lions would answer with their lone run of the game in the fourth, as Kennedy doubled and would come around to score on a sacrifice fly by Finchum. The Lions threatened in the sixth and seventh innings, but were unable to get the big hit with runners in scoring position to finish the come back.

UP NEXT:
The Lions will have a lengthy break before heading to Florida for The Spring Games. They will open that trip up on March 11th, with a double-header vs. Case Western and SUNY Geneseo.