Softball Recap: Bayard Rustin Has No Trouble Against Villa Maria Academy

It may have taken eight innings to finish the job, but Bayard Rustin ultimately got the result they hoped for on Thursday. They put the hurt on the Villa Maria Academy Hurricanes with a sharp 11-5 win. The Golden Knights have beaten the Hurricanes the last four times they've met, but they better watch out: this was the closest the Hurricanes has come to flipping the script.

Ashley Falcone was a major factor no matter where she played. She struck out eight batters over eight innings while giving up three earned (and two unearned) runs off 14 hits (and only one walk). She has been nothing but reliable on the mound: she hasn't given up more than one walk in six consecutive appearances. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBI.

Sarah Wood

Runs Batted In (Career)

04/24/25 @ Villa Maria Academy	2
04/21/25 vs Sun Valley	1
04/16/25 vs Downingtown West	1
03/21/25 @ Oxford	1
03/19/25 vs Sun Valley	1

In other batting news, Sarah Wood was excellent, going 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBI. Those two RBI gave her a new career-high. Morgan Palotas was another key player, getting on base in four of her five plate appearances with one run and one RBI.

Bayard Rustin pushed their record up to 13-1 with the victory, which was their third straight on the road. The road wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 8.7 runs over those games. As for Villa Maria Academy, they are on a four-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 3-5.

Coming up, Bayard Rustin will challenge Oxford at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The Hornets have struggled to contain batters this season (they've allowed 9.29 runs per game on average), something the Golden Knights will no doubt try to take advantage of. As for Villa Maria Academy, they will venture away from home to square off against Wissahickon at 3:45 p.m. on Friday.