WEIRTON - The Catholic Central softball team continued at the plate where it left off Monday.
The Crusaders totaled eight base hits in Tuesday's 13-0 victory over host Weirton Madonna in four innings at Starvaggi Park.
One of those was a monstrous home run to left field by sophomore Maddy Gulan. Blue Dons' coach Chris Conti said it was only the third home run hit at Starvaggi in 20 years. It was a solo shot that finished the scoring in a three-run third. It was her first of the season after bombing seven a year ago.
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WELCOMING COMMITEE — Members of the Catholic Central softball team await teammate Maddy Gulan after her solo home run in the top of the third inning during Tuesday’s 13-0 victory over Weirton Madonna.
-- Mike Mathison
"We have been hitting the ball really well," said Central coach Jim DiCarlo. "It was a total team effort. One day one person gets us something and the next day someone else picks it up.
"I thought Micca (Mirabella) did a good job setting the table. We stole some bases and hit the ball hard when we needed to."
Mirabella had two singles and an RBI and winning pitcher Paige Creamer doubled and singled for an RBI.
"They're a tough team. Jimmy does a great job there," said Conti. "You don't know if they're going to slap or bunt and then they swing away. You have to be ready at all times."
Madonna loaded the bases in the bottom of the third inning.
Annie Magnone walked with one out. Emalee Hvizdak reached on a fielder's choice, Courtney Moss ripped a single a and Sara Lyons walked to load the sacks, but Creamer got out of it with a strikeout.
"We had a couple of opportunities there before that one inning," said Conti.
The one inning Conti was referring to was the eight times that Central touched home plate in the top of the fourth inning. The Crusaders sent 14 batters to the plate.
"They are a very aggressive team," Conti said of the Crusaders. "They're just an all around good team."
Creamer allowed two hits in three innings. She finished with three strikeouts and two walks. Lara Householder came in to pitch the bottom of the fourth.
"Paige pitched well again," said DiCarlo. "I thought she did a good job in this weather."
Lyons also doubled with two outs in the first inning for Madonna, which is 4-5 and visits Shadyside today.
"We know they are banged up and young in positions," DiCarlo said of the Blue Dons. "Chris does a really good job with those girls."
Central hosts Toronto today.
Catholic Central 13, Weirton Madonna 0
Catholic Central 113 8 - 13 8 0
Weirton Madonna 000 0 - 0 2 3
CATHOLIC CENTRAL (8-2): Creamer (WP, 3K, 2BB), Householder (4, 1K, 0BB) and Clark, Gulan (4); Mirabella 2S, rbi; Vandeborne S; Clark rbi; Gulan HR, rbi; Creamer D, S, rbi; Giannamore S.
WEIRTON MADONNA (4-5): Quattrochi (LP, 0K, 6BB) and A. Magnone; Lyons D; Moss S.
