Cardinal Newman hasn't had much luck against John Carroll Catholic recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Cardinal Newman Crusaders will be playing at home against the John Carroll Catholic Rams at 4:00 p.m. Cardinal Newman has given up an average of 7.7 runs per game this season, so hopefully the team got some pitching drills in this week.
Cardinal Newman came up short against Park Vista on Tuesday, falling 12-4. The Crusaders have now taken an 'L' in back-to-back games.
Reese Khanna made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 3-for-4 with two triples and three runs. Another player making a difference was Annabelle Walsh, who scored a run while going 3-for-4.
Meanwhile, John Carroll Catholic never let their opponents score on Friday. They were the clear victor by a 12-0 margin over Dwyer. That looming 12-0 mark stands out as the most commanding margin for the Rams yet this season.
Makayla Ortiz made a big impact while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run while striking out nine over six innings pitched. That's the most strikeouts she has posted since back in March of 2024. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with one double and one RBI.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Isabella Ramirez, who scored a run while getting on base in four of her five plate appearances. Mikale Lemons was another key player, scoring two runs and stealing a base while going 2-for-4.
John Carroll Catholic always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .615. That's the best OBP they've posted all season.
John Carroll Catholic pushed their record up to 6-2 with the win, which was their third straight on the road. The wins came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.0 runs on average over those games. As for Cardinal Newman, their defeat dropped their record down to 3-6.
Thursday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Cardinal Newman hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .341. However, it's not like John Carroll Catholic struggles in that department as they've averaged .352. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Cardinal Newman couldn't quite get it done against John Carroll Catholic in their previous matchup two weeks ago as they fell 12-8. Will Cardinal Newman have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the match for a full breakdown of the game, commentary, and other softball content.
