James Leads V-Hawks in Season Opener Win

DAVENPORT, Iowa – The Viterbo University Softball team began their 2024 season on Saturday with a 6-3 win over Culver-Stockton (Mo.), then lost to Cornerstone (Mich.), 1-6.

The V-Hawks started the game strong, with two runs in the top o the first, coming from a Megan Jardine RBI and Morgan James RBI single. However, the Wildcats would respond with two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame. After two quick innings, James singled again in the fourth, and CSU scored to take the 3-2 lead. James and Marissa Carter-Olson each had singles in the top of the sixth, but were stranded on base. Trailing by one going into the final inning, Grace Elton doubled to left, Amanda Bogdonovic reached on an error, and Makayla Nortman reached on a fielders choice, scoring Elton. Jardine then doubled to score two more, and James brought in Jardine with a single. Three straight outs by Culver-Stockton gave Viterbo the 6-3 win.

James led the V-Hawks with four hits on four at-bats and two RBIs, while Jardine batted in three runs. Six different Wildcats recorded a hit. Morgan Fuhrer (W, 1-0) earned the complete game win with seven strikeouts, and Makayla Slavik (L, 1-2) had one.

Cornerstone started the second game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first, and while James had a single in the second, she was unable to score. Nortman added a single and stolen base in the third, but was also stranded. After two innings of no hits, Bogdonovic tripled in the sixth, then scored on a wild pitch. However, it was not enough and Viterbo fell, 1-6.

Four V-Hawks recorded a hit, while Mackenzie Nagelhout had two for Cornerstone. Alexis Watson (L, 0-1) had four strikeouts over 5.0 IP, and Alyssa Braam (W, 1-0) had eight.

Viterbo returns to action on Sunday, February 11 against College of Saint Mary (Neb.) and St. Ambrose (Iowa).