Historical, memorable sweep for Saints

CEDAR RAPIDS - It used to be, a split against Cedar Rapids Jefferson was a vast accomplishment.

So what was this?

History, that's what.

Kailee Becker squeezed home Hannah Helms for the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning as Class 4A sixth-ranked Cedar Rapids Xavier concluded a sweep of 5A No. 3 Jefferson, 6-5, in a Mississippi Valley Conference softball double-header Tuesday night at Bob Erusha Field.

The Saints won the opener, 2-1, and took two from the J-Hawks for the first time in school history.

'We never give up. We never have, we never do, we never will,” said Xavier's Erin Drahozal, referring to the Saints' early 4-0 deficit in the nightcap.

'I can't think right now. I'm just so happy.”

Xavier (9-1 overall, 9-1 MVC) came back from a 1-0 deficit in the opener, tallying twice in the bottom of the sixth.

Then, the Saints chipped away after two-run home runs by Maddie Hansen and Avery Guy staked the J-Hawks (10-2, 8-2) to a four-run cushion in the nightcap.

Becker and Morgan Breitbach supplied two-run hits as Xavier took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the fourth.

Jefferson got even in the top of the seventh before Becker squeezed home the winner in the eighth.

Steph Wehr opened the rally with a full-count walk, then Allison Schwach beat out a bunt for a single.

After Courtney Colston moved both runners up a base with a sacrifice bunt, Becker followed with another.

Helms, the pinch-runner, scored easily, and the Saints were sweepers.

'I knew all I had to do was get it down,” Becker said. 'I had to trust in myself to do it.”

Tuesday's twinbill marked the return of Brian Erbe to the Xavier facility. He coached here 10 years before taking over the program at his alma mater in 2013.

'I was bitter for a couple weeks after his decision, but I understand it,” Drahozal said. 'I love that guy. I really do.”

Erbe was gracious in defeat.

'We certainly had opportunities,” he said. 'Xavier played great. They're an excellent team. We're pretty good, too, and we'll get better because of this.”

Xavier Coach Nikki Price said, 'These were two good wins. The girls had a little extra drive. This team has a lot of drive, determination and fight. What more can you ask for?”

Kennedy Dighton's RBI single in the first game gave the J-Hawks the lead in the fourth inning.

Cassie Himmelsbach's line-drive fielder's choice plated Colston to tie it, then Jamie Feltes reached - and Breitbach scored - on an error to put the Saints ahead.

Jefferson went down in order in the seventh.

C.R. XAVIER 2, C.R. JEFFERSON 1 (Game 1)

C.R. Jefferson 000 100 0 - 1 5 2

C.R. Xavier 000 002 x - 2 3 1

Alyssa Olson and Maddie Hansen. Erin Drahozal and Steph Wehr. W - Drahozal (5-1). L - Olson (5-1).

C.R. XAVIER 6, C.R. JEFFERSON 5, 8 innings (Game 2)

C.R. Jefferson 220 000 10 - 5 12 1

C.R. Xavier 010 400 01 - 6 12 2

Alissa Good, Alyssa Olson (7) and Maddie Hansen. Kylie Oldridge, Erin Drahozal (1) and Steph Wehr. W - Drahozal (6-1). L - Olson (5-2). HR - CRJ: Hansen (2), Avery Guy (1).

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@sourcemedia.net