The Althoff Catholic Crusaders will take on the Alton Redbirds at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. Althoff Catholic has given up an average of 13.8 runs per game this season, but Monday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Althoff Catholic is coming in off a wild two-game stretch: after soaring to 25 runs last Wednesday, they were much more limited against Metro-East Lutheran on Monday. They came up short against the Knights, falling 18-1. The defeat continues a trend for the Crusaders in their meetings with the Knights: they've now lost four in a row.
Althoff Catholic saw two different players step up and record at least one hit. One of them was Anna Rodriguez, who went a perfect 2-for-2 with one stolen base and one run.
Meanwhile, Alton can bid farewell to their four-game losing streak thanks to their game on Saturday. They came out on top against East Alton-Wood River by a score of 8-5.
Makenzie Rayfield was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, pitching seven innings while giving up three earned (and two unearned) runs off nine hits. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks in three consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, going a perfect 3-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one RBI. Those three hits gave her a new career-high.
In other batting news, Ava Taulbee and Josie Landuyt did most of the damage at the plate: Taulbee earned three RBI, one run, and one stolen base, while Landuyt went 1-for-2 with one stolen base, one run, and one double. Those three RBI gave Taulbee a new career-high.
Althoff Catholic's loss dropped their record down to 1-11. As for Alton, their victory bumped their record up to 3-15.
Althoff Catholic suffered a grim 7-0 defeat to Alton in their previous meeting back in May of 2021. Will the Crusaders 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.
