SOFTBALL STARTS SEASON 4-2

Monday, March 18 - The CSM softball team opened the season this weekend, going 4-2 in the first six games, sweeping Beaver in a doubleheader on Friday, and going 2-2 in the CSM Invitational Tournament on Saturday and Sunday.

    On a beautiful sunny day, with the temperature in the 80's, the Hawks opened the season against  Beaver from Pennsylvania.  The first game proved to be a defensive struggle, with no score after 6  innings.  After retiring the Titans in the top of the 7th, the Hawks rallied in the bottom of the inning.  Amanda Kidwell singled to start the inning, was sacrificed to second by Melissa Speake, and scored on Megan Oursler's RBI single, to give CSM the 1-0 win.

    Erin Waltersdorff went the distance for the shutout win, giving up only 3 hits while striking out 6.  Amanda Boswell went 3-3 at the plate for the Hawks.

    The bats came alive for both teams in the second game, as the Hawks swept the doubleheader with an 8-3 win.  With the score tied in the 4th, CSM took the lead when Andrea Brady doubled, and scored on Allison Middleton's single.

    The Hawks scored 4 runs in the 6th to break the game open.  Jennifer Brown singled to start the inning, and was sacrificed to second by Allison Middleton.  Amanda Kidwell reached on a fielders choice, and Melissa Speake walked to load the bases.  Amanda Boswell singled to drive in one run, and two more runs scored when the ball got past the Titan centerfielder.  Megan Oursler drove in Boswell for the final Hawk run.

    Erin Waltersdorf got the win, scattering 7 hits and striking out 3 while improving her record to 2-0.  Three Hawks had multiple hits, as Megan Oursler, Stacy Bean, and Jennifer Brown each had two. 

   On a cloudy but mild day in the 60's, CSM opened play in the CSM Invitational Tournament.  In their first game, Anne Arundel pitching limited the Hawks to just 3 hits.  Amanda Boswell had 2 and Jennifer Brown had the only other Hawk to connect for a hit.   The Pioneers broke the game open in the 4th inning when they scored 5 runs on 4 consecutive hits, a walk, and a double as they claimed a 6-2 win.  Erin Waltersdorff went the distance, striking out 2 as she received her first lost of the year.

   The Hawks faced Herkimer from New York in the next game of the tournament.  CSM scored first, as Megan Oursler tripled in the top of the first, then scored on a wild pitch.  The Generals tied the game in the bottom of the first, then scored 3 in the 2nd and 1 in the 3rd in route to a 6-2 win. 

   Andrea Brady took the loss, giving up 5 runs (3 earned) in 3 innings, while striking out 2.  Jennifer Brown and Stacy Bean each had 2 hits for CSM.

   The Hawks got their first win of the tournament in their final game on Saturday as they defeated the Knights of Rockville 3-1.  The Knights scored first, getting a run on 3 hits in the1st inning.  They held that lead until the 3rd, when Amanda Boswell singled, stole second, then scored on an error to tie the game at 1-1.

   CSM scored 2 in the 5th to put the game away.  Erin Waltersdorff walked and  moved to second on Megan Oursler's single.  Amanda Boswell reached on an error to load the bases.  That set the stage for Andrea Brady, who plated Waltersdorff and Oursler with her 2 RBI single. 

   Waltersdorff went the distance for the win, striking out 3 as she improved her record to 3-1.

   In championship play on Sunday, the 8th seeded Hawks drew the 9th seeded Beaver for their third match-up in three days.  CSM proved victorious once again, pounding the Titans 8-1.  Erin Waltersdorff was on the mound once again, as she allowed only 3 hits while striking out 4 while improving her record to 4-1.

   CSM jumped on top early, with a 2 out rally in the top of the 1st.  Stacy Bean reached on an error, then scored on Andrea Brady's single.  Brady moved to second on an error, then scored on Jennifer Brown's single to give the Hawks an early 2-0 lead. 

   After Beaver scored to cut the margin to 2-1, the Hawks added another run in the 3rd to reclaim a two run lead at 3-1.

   CSM broke the game open in the top of the 7th, scoring 5 runs on 6 hits.  With one out, Megan Oursler singled and Amanda Boswell reached on an error.  Stacy Bean drove them both in with a double.  Jennifer Brown then reached on an fielder's choice, followed by Andrea Brady's RBI double.  Allison Middleton singled to drive in another run and   Amanda Kidwell singled for the Hawks third consecutive hit.  Melissa Speake concluded the hit parade with another single, driving in the Hawks 5th run of the evening.

   The Hawks advanced to play top seeded Briarcliffe in the quarter-finals.  Before the game could be completed, the overcast skies opened up, and a steady rain forced the cancellation of the rest of the tournament. 

   Amanda Boswell was selected to the All-Tournament team.  She batted .363, scored 3 runs and stole 2 bases, while playing excellent defense at third base and catcher.