Cardinals Hold Off Raptors in Clutch Performance

CCBC Catonsville's softball team got back into the win column on Wednesday with a 5-4 victory over the Raptors of Montgomery College.

Behind a stellar day from freshman third baseman Tori Bache (Northeast), the Cardinals built up a 5-2 lead, then held off a Raptor comeback to get their sixth win of the season.

Catonsville would strike first in the bottom of the first. After freshman catcher Hailey Seaton (Liberty) walked and advanced to second after a hit from freshman shortstop Morhgan Gross (Howard), sophomore outfielder Mackenzie Brooks (Hammond) singled into right field to bring Seaton home for a 1-0 lead.

The next two innings would be scoreless, with Montgomery breaking the silence with a two-run fourth inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Bache made her presence felt. Tripling to right field, Bache would score on a passed ball two at-bats later to tie the game at 2-2.

Catonsville took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth. Another triple into right field from Brooks brought home sophomore outfielder Abigail Heagy (Eastern Tech), and a two-run home run from Bache made the score 5-2. Montgomery would keep things interesting by scoring twice in the top of the sixth, making the score 5-4. Needing a clutch performance, the Cardinals turned to freshman pitcher Kayleigh Rishel (Leonardtown). Three quick outs ended the game in the top of the seventh as Rishel finished a complete game with a win.

Bache finished the contest with an RBI, a home run, and a triple. Brooks had two RBIs and a triple, while Rishel pitched a complete game with four strikeouts.