Three games, three wins.
That’s how the College Heights Christian (with McAuley Catholic) softball team has started the 2023 season.
College Heights improved to 3-0 by beating Wheaton 13-0 in five innings on Wednesday at the CHC Athletic Complex.
“Overall, I’m very proud of the start to the season,” Cougars coach Mike Howard said. “Our bats have been better than what I thought they’d be at this point of the season. We’ve faced a couple of good pitchers and I’ve been pleasantly surprised with our bats. Lauren Ukena is leading the team in average right now and she only played a handful of games last year, so it’s been nice to see her hitting the ball well. Maddy Colin is hitting the ball well and pitching well. Several girls are hitting well. And we’ve got some younger girls who have stepped up.”
For the Cougars, their second game at their new home field was much like their first—a one-sided affair.
One day after a dominant 15-0 win over Exeter, College Heights recorded a second straight run-rule win.
The Cougars scored twice in the first inning, five times in the second and then erupted for six more runs in the fourth.
Wheaton managed just one hit against Colin, CHC’s standout junior pitcher.
Colin had a stellar outing in the circle, as she struck out 16 and allowed just one hit and one walk in five scoreless innings.
“Maddy pitched a beautiful game,” Howard said. “Through three innings, she hadn’t thrown a ball. She was very consistent today and she was very efficient with her pitches today. And I think she was throwing with more velocity today than she did yesterday. She did a wonderful job.”
The Cougars scored their 13 runs on 12 hits.
Junior shortstop Kloee Williamson and senior second baseman Aaliyah Perez each recorded three hits and two RBI. Perez scored three runs, while Williamson crossed home twice.
Senior third baseman Lauren Ukena drove in two runs on two hits, while Colin had three RBI.
Sophomore outfielder Kallie Spencer and senior first baseman Emma Angel contributed one RBI apiece, while senior catcher Jayli Johnson and Spencer scored two runs apiece.
Perez and Ukena drove in runs with base hits in the bottom of the first frame.
In the second, Colin hit a bases-loaded double and then scored on an error. Ukena’s RBI single made it 7-0.
College Heights had five hits in the fourth and also took advantage of two errors and a wild pitch to take a 13-0 advantage.
The game between Ozark 7 Conference rivals ended after the top of the fifth due to the run-rule. Colin struck out the final six batters she faced.
“Our first inning wasn’t that great, but after that, we put some things together,” Howard said of scoring multiple runs in three innings. “We played how we’re supposed to play. We had lots of traffic. We were able to get our younger girls some experience today and we always like to do that. I’m proud of those younger girls for stepping in and handling themselves like they should.”
The CHC/McAuley softball team is now playing its home games at the CHC Athletic Complex.
“It’s very nice and it took a lot to get the field game ready, so we’re thankful for the parents and players who helped get it ready,” Howard said. “We appreciate all the help.”
Howard noted the team’s home games at the facility will start at 4 p.m. due to the lack of working lights at the field.
College Heights hosts Miller on Monday.
