By: @n_jcamp
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Golden Eagles jump right back into play after returning from Florida, as they will play six games this week with double-headers against (RV) Aquinas, Judson, and Saint Francis (Ill.). The week opens with Cornerstone's home opener vs. rival Aquinas in a non-conference double-header. The team will then travel to Illinois to see Judson and St. Francis. So far this season, CU is 4-5 as they have one game that was suspended vs. Bethel along with a few canceled games due to weather down in Florida.
(RV) Aquinas (DH)
Wednesday, March 16
3 p.m.
Grand Rapids, Mich. (CU Softball Field)
Live Video
Live Stats
Judson (DH)
Friday, March 18
3 p.m.
Elgin, Ill. (Judson Softball Field)
Live Video
Live Stats
Saint Francis (DH)
Saturday, March 19
1 p.m.
Joliet, Ill. (USF Softball Field)
Live Video
Live Stats
Rain Rain Go Away
Cornerstone saw something they rarely see in their annual spring trip to Florida in heavy rain in the forecast on multiple days which held them to completing only seven of their 12 scheduled games. One game vs. Bethel was suspended tied at three in the fifth inning, while the other four were canceled. CU went 2-5 on the trip and struggled to score as they were held scoreless in the final three games before the last day was canceled.
Pitching Strength
The Golden Eagle pitchers have gotten off to a great start in 2022 as the team has a combined 4.29 ERA. The two every day starters of
Mikayla Meade and
Kaitlin Johnson have each pitched right around 20 innings with Meade leading the team with a 2.53 ERA. Johnson has a 4.33 ERA but has 24 strikeouts to just five walks to record a 2-3 record so far.
Alyssa Braam, the freshman, has also had a great start to the year, recording a 1-1 record with a 4.30 ERA in 14.2 innings pitched.
Newcomers Shine
On the offensive end, Cornerstone is led by three newcomers in the early season. Junior transfer from Goshen
Jolie Groeneveld is leading the team with a .344 average on 11 hits and two triples this season. Freshman duo of
Mackenzie Nagelhout and
Delaney Wilson are also each above .300 on the year with a HR each. CU has seen a ton of production from freshman off the bench as well as Hannah DePoy is hitting .500 in five games played and
Moriah Sprague is hitting .444 in six games played.
Scouting Receiving Votes Aquinas
The Saints are coming off a second-place finish in the WHAC in 2021 and have gotten off to a great start in 2022 with a 17-3 record and a 14-game winning streak. They are receiving votes in the first poll of 2022 and have scored 10+ runs in four of their last six games. Aquinas is all about speed on the offensive end as they have 47 steals this season, three triples, and 45 doubles. As a team, Aquinas is hitting .338 led by sophomore pitcher/infielder Leah Vaughan at .429.
Scouting Judson
The Eagles have gotten off to a slow start in 2022 with a 2-8-1 record. The Judson offense has not been able to find a rhythm this year as they have scored two or less runs in all 11 contests and have not scored in their last three. JU has already played four WHAC teams and gone 1-3 in those contests, with a 3-2 win over Concordia in their season opener.
Scouting Saint Francis
The Fighting Saints have gotten off to a solid start in 2022 with a 10-6 overall record. The team has an outstanding veteran pitching staff of two seniors and a junior who have a combined 3.40 ERA. The duo of Hannah Vachon and Bridget McDermott have 45 and 44 strikeouts respectively for a team average of 6.2 a game. Offensively, USF has seen a lot of different players contribute, with six every day starters hitting over .300 led by Maddie Massaro at .434.
Softball Contact:
Jesse Campbell
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