STEUBENVILLE — Mother Nature spoiled Senior Day.

The Madonna and Catholic Central softball teams had to battle the weather, the field conditions and each other Friday evening at the Steve Zamana Softball Field. The two teams attempted to play a game, and a rain delay brought the game to a halt. Fortunately, the game was able to resume, however, another rain delay brought the game to an end with Madonna leading 11-2 with one out in the top of the fourth inning.

The game was the final regular season game of the season for the Blue Dons. Madonna is set to open postseason in play in the West Virginia Class 1A Region 1 Section 1 Tournament Monday against Clay-Battelle.

It was important for the Blue Dons to get some work in before taking on the Cee-Bees in the sectional tournament.

“We are the No. 1 seed,” Madonna (16-3) head coach Jason Backel said. “That was a goal of ours at the beginning of the year. We play Clay-Battelle Monday at 5 p.m. at home.

“Unfortunately, we have had five games canceled this week, but we do practice every day. I am glad we were able to get some work in. I am glad we were able to see some live pitching other than our own.

“We play Clay-Battelle Monday at 5 p.m. at home at Starvaggi Park. All of our games will be at Starvaggi. We are looking forward to it.”

The girls from Hancock County plated the first nine runs of the game before the girls from Jefferson County tallied two in the bottom of the third. Madonna added two more in the fourth before the game was called.

Kendall Ryan pitched for the Blue Dons. She struck out one and walked two in three innings of work.

Lexi Lathem pitched for the Crusaders. She struck out one and walked four in 3 1/3 innings inside the circle.

The visitors recorded six hits in the game – three of which went for extra bases. The Blue Dons belted a pair of home runs in the game.

Individually, Madi Owens delivered a triple, a home run and six RBI, Rylee Birkhimer recorded a home run and two RBI and Peyton Conley contributed two singles and an RBI. Also, Ally Laughlin tallied a single.

“We ended the regular season at 16-3,” Backel said. “We are ready to go. We are excited. I’m glad we were able to play a little bit today. We’re ready to get started. We will be ready to go. We have been looking forward to this for the last two weeks.

“Kendall Ryan pitched a good game today. I’m glad we were able to get a little bit of work on today. We came out ready to play.”

Genna Free finished with a single and an RBI for the Blue and Gold, while Maddie McEndree added a single of her own.

Madonna delivered four runs in the first inning to take an early 4-0 lead. The Blue Dons added three more runs in the second to increase their advantage to 7-0. The team tallied two runs in the third to extend their advantage out to 9-0.

Catholic Central collected two runs in the home half of the third to cut their deficit down to 9-2. The Blue Dons responded with two more runs in the fourth before the game was called.

During the game, the teams had to contend with rain, thunder and lightning, however, the sky cleared up and the sun came out a couple minutes after the game was called.

Prior to the start of the game, Catholic Central honored its lone senior – Taylor Ensminger.

The Blue Dons shut out the Crusaders, 18-0, in the two teams first meeting of the season.

Madonna is the No. 1 seed in the sectional tournament, while Clay-Battelle is the No. 4 seed. Trinity Christian – the No. 2 seed – is set to take on No. 3 seed Cameron in the other semifinal Monday at home.

The Blue Dons are 5-0 against the Cee-Bees, Warriors and Dragons this season. Madonna swept Clay-Battelle in a doubleheader April 2 with the Blue Dons winning both games, 19-0. Madonna defeated Trinity Christian, 23-6, in the lone game between the Blue Dons and the Warriors this season. The Blue Dons won a pair of games against the Dragons as Madonna was victorious by scores of 4-3 and 9-2.

The tournament is double elimination.

Catholic Central is scheduled to play Bridgeport at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday on the road.

Madonna’s doubleheader scheduled for today against Wellsville at home has been canceled.

Madonna 11, Catholic Central 2

Madonna 432 2 – 11 6 0

Catholic Central 002 X – 2 2 1

MADONNA (16-3): Ryan (3IP, 1K, 2BB) and Orrechio. Conley 2S, RBI; Owens T, HR, 6 RBI; Laughlin S; Birkhimer HR, 2RBI.

CATHOLIC CENTRAL (4-9): Lathem (3 1/3IP, 1K, 4BB) and Fink. Free S, RBI; McEndree S.