By Mike
Buchanan
mbuchanan@digitalsports.com
While the IAAM B Conference softball race looks to be a
battle of four teams, Catholic decided to play the role of spoiler yesterday.
The host Cubs defeated Maryvale Prep, 9-7, at Patterson Park, and knocked the Lions out of first
place – for now. With a 16-3 win over St. Mary’s, Notre Dame Prep inched ahead
of Maryvale and into first place – for now.
Coach Ed Hoffman was ecstatic about the win. "This was the first time we've beaten Maryvale in eight meetings. We got big hits from Katie radych with a grand slam and Marilyn Topper with a triple, and good defense. It felt good to get a win like this. We've been one hit or one mustake away from wins in five games this season," he said.
Sophomore Meagan Sumwalt started for the Cubs and freshman Amber Hilditch came on in the third and allowed only three hits to keep Catholic in the game.
After the dust settled yesterday, NDP stands at 8-2 with a
half game lead over Maryvale, as the Lions dropped to 8-3. Those two teams meet
on Thursday, in Brooklandville, in a key match-up.
Chapelgate Christian sits at 6-2 after a big 4-0 week last
week. The Yellowjackets are at Annapolis Area Christian today, and have a few
more rain-outs to make-up. McDonogh, which held first earlier in the season, is
8-4 after a 21-1 win over Baltimore Lutheran yesterday, and the Eagles visit
AACS on Thursday.
With the big win, Catholic improved to 4-7 and is in fifth
place, ahead of St. Mary’s. The Cubs avenged an earlier loss to Maryvale, as
the Lions won the first meeting, 10-5.
"This was a big win for us," said Hoffman. "I hope we can carry this momentum forward into the playoffs. Our young team really grew up today."
As the topsy-turvy B race really heats up down the
stretch, it appears that any team can have a say in the final outcome. Catholic
proved that yesterday.
Catholic
9, Maryvale Prep 7
Schell and McEvoy; Sumwalt, Hilditch (2) and Dillard.
3B: C - Topper. HR: C - Ratych.