Top-five Metro softball battle goes to Cedar Rapids Xavier — twice

CEDAR RAPIDS — The stars couldn’t have been more bright on opening night.

How about a 15-strikeout one-hitter?

And how about three home runs ... against three different pitchers?

Braylen Conlon accomplished the former, Katie Pilcher did the latter and Class 4A second-ranked Cedar Rapids Xavier swept 5A No. 5 Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 4-0 and 9-4, in a Mississippi Valley Conference softball doubleheader Tuesday night at Bob Erusha Field.

“Obviously, we expect big things from our core of kids that are four- and five-year starters,” Xavier Coach Nikki Gahring said.

Sure, but could you really expect this?

“I’m so proud of everyone,” Pilcher said. “Our pitchers did great. Everyone did their job, and that keeps the energy going.”

A recruit of Western Kentucky University, Conlon had the Cougars flummoxed throughout the opener. No. 9 hitter Kate Dyar had Kennedy’s lone hit, a bunt single in the third inning.

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“The riseball, definitely,” Conlon acknowledged. “I like to challenge the hitters’ eye level. It’s my favorite pitch.”

Game 1 was scoreless until Pilcher came to the plate in the bottom of the fourth, and untied it with a blast to right field on a 1-2 count.

“I tell myself the same exact thing every time I come up to bat,” Pilcher said. “I tell myself I’m the best hitter out here. Keep it simple. Trust yourself, see the ball and hit the ball.”

Pilcher struck out looking in her first plate appearance Tuesday.

After that:

* Solo home run to right.

* Single.

* Single.

* Solo home run to left.

* Walk.

* Solo home run to right.

That equates to an .857 on-base percentage and a 2.333 slugging percentage.

If you’re looking for an unsung hero for the Saints (2-0 overall, 2-0 MVC), strongly consider Jaselle Lang.

The junior right fielder delivered a clutch two-run single that pushed Xavier’s lead to 3-0 in the fourth inning of Game 1.

Then, in the nightcap, she provided a two-run double in the bottom of the fifth to put the Saints in front for good, 6-4.

Kennedy (0-2, 0-2) held leads of 2-0 and 4-2 in the second game. Peyton Stineman homered in the first inning, then RBI singles from Dylan Amling and Teagan Chrisman allowed the Cougars to retake the lead.

Xavier pitcher Maddyn Gates helped her own cause with a two-run homer and reached base all four times.

A transfer from Solon, Gates earned the win in the nightcap. Alaina Gahring claimed the save, retiring each of the six batters she faced.

Cedar Rapids Xavier 4-9, Cedar Rapids Kennedy 0-4

At C.R. Xavier

GAME 1

C.R. Kennedy 000 000 0 — 0 1 2

C.R. Xavier 000 310 x — 4 8 0

Lily Knutson and Dylan Amling. Braylen Conlon and Katie Pilcher. W — Conlon (1-0). L — Knutson (0-1). HR — CRX: Pilcher (1).

GAME 2

C.R. Kennedy 202 000 0 — 4 7 2

C.R. Xavier 201 033 x — 9 11 1

Peyton Stineman, Ella Brown (6) and Dylan Amling. Maddyn Gates, Alaina Gahring (6) and Claire Walter. W — Gates (1-0). L — Stineman (0-1). SV — Gahring (1). HR — CRK: Stineman (1), CRX: Gates (1), Pilcher 2 (3).

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com