THE LEAD

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- Cardinal Stritch was an all-around force today, and they took home a couple of wins home after shutting out Maranatha twice at Brandt-Quirk Park.

Stritch's Sophia Salazar pitched a 13-strikeout no-hitter in the second game, as the Wolves made the most of a sunny day in Watertown for a doubleheader sweep.

THE OVERVIEW

• Results: Maranatha 0-13 Strich (5 innings), Maranatha 0-22 Stritch (5 innings)
• Venue: Brandt-Quirk Park
• Location: Watertown, Wis.
• Records: MBU (3-7), CSU (8-4)

THE STORY

The second inning made the difference in the first game of the day. Stritch scored 9 runs off 9 hits to make it a 10-0 game, then they added 3 more in the fourth. Stritch kept the bats warm in that stretch while keeping Maranatha's relatively quiet.

Krysten Lawver tried to jump-start the offense in the first game with a nice single up the middle, but second base was as far close as Lawver would come to scoring.

Bot 3 | Krysten Lawver knocks it up the middle! ⚖️

let's start a rally �� pic.twitter.com/X64suPqY0T

— Maranatha Athletics (@MBUSabercats) April 3, 2021

Ashley Nerat led the Maranatha defense with a couple of quick-handed plays at third base in game one, but Stritch's offensive onslaught was ultimately overwhelming. In the circle, Stritch's Hope Maes limited Maranatha to just 3 hits while pitching all 5 innings.

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The second game was just as much a story of Stritch's bats as it was of their pitcher - Sophia Salazar pitched a no-hitter for the Wolves while notching 13 strikeouts on the day. At the plate, the Wolves scored a run in every inning, registered a dozen runs in the second inning alone to finish with 22 runs in the game.

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Maranatha Lineup Game 1 - Bullock (2B), Hecker (CF), Thome (SS), Chaney (C), Yancey (P), Bailey (1B), Lawver (DP), Nerat (3B), Sponable (LF), Thompson (FL/RF)

Maranatha Lineup Game 2 - Bullock (2B), Hecker (LF), Thome (SS), Chaney (C), Yancey (CF), Bailey (P), Lawver (1B), Nerat (3B), Sponable (RF)

THE SOUND BITE

"We knew this would be a stretch game for us," said Coach Rob Thompson after the game. "And that we needed to improve in a number of areas. We faced probably two of the best pitchers we will face all year, and our inexperience showed itself. I was pleased with the girls' efforts and our defensive plays. We did a lot of good things. The girls were still excited and we played hard."

THE STATS

• Box Score Game 1
• Box Score Game 2

THE OPPONENTS

• Stritch competes in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (NAIA)
• Stritch is a perfect 4-0 at home this season
• Stritch ranks 9th of 12 in the CCAC

THE OUTLOOK

The Sabercats stay home for a doubleheader on Friday, April 16 at 5:00 p.m. against Finlandia. Follow at mbusabercats.com/composite.