Cavaliers come out of the gate hot to start year (2024)

WAHOO — Big hits and strong defense have helped the Class C No. 2 Bishop Neumann softball team get out to an impressive start to the 2024 season. The Cavaliers are 3-0 and have outscored their opponents 36-6.

The first game for the Cavaliers was at home against NEN on Aug. 22. In five innings, Neumann pulled out a 13-3 victory over the Vipers.

After working a scoreless top of the first, the Cavaliers battled back with five runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Out of the leadoff spot, Jill Johnson came through with a single to left field. That was followed up by a double from Adelyn Zwick to center and a single from Aubree Milliken to left field that knocked in two runs for Neumann.

A pair of groundouts and a double from Isabelle Stuhr to center drove in three more runs and put the Cavaliers in front 5-0.

NEN finally broke through offensively with two runs in the third inning, which pulled them back within three runs of Neumann.

The Cavaliers created another scoring opportunity in the bottom of the fourth when Aubrey Fujan singled on a bunt and then the Vipers walked and hit a batter that loaded the bases. Bridget Whitney took advantage of her chance to drive in runs and hit a grand slam to center that put Neumann up by seven.

With the score 10-3 in the fifth, Zwick tripled to right field driving in three runs and bringing the ten-run rule into effect.

Both finishing with multiple hits and four RBIs were Zwick and Whitney. Ana Fisher, Milliken, Stuhr, Grace Ryan, and Fujan all drove in one run.

Addison Sylliaasen started on the mound for Neumann and pitched five innings, gave up three earned runs, and set down nine batters on strikes.

Two days later on Aug. 24, the Cavaliers traveled to a triangular at Fillmore Central.

Neumann opened the day by taking on the host Fillmore Central/EMF/F. In six innings, the Cavaliers defeated the Class C No. 10 Panthers 9-0.

In every inning except the first, Neumann put up at least one run. Their biggest inning of the contest was the sixth where they scored three runs.

Blanking FC/EMF/F on the mound was Sylliaasen who pitched six innings, gave up no earned runs and struck out five batters.

At the plate, Zwick came through with two hits and two RBIs while Johnson, Whitney, Ryan, Sylliaasen and Fujan all had at least one hit and one run batted in.

The Cavaliers closed out the day by playing Centennial. The firepower for Neumann was on full display as they pulled out a 14-3 victory in four innings.

For the first time on the season, the Cavaliers trailed after the Broncos put up one run in the bottom of the first to go up 1-0. Neumann answered with one run in the second, four in the third and then nine runs in the fourth, which put them up by 13 runs.

In their final at-bat, Centennial got two runs back, but it wasn’t enough to avoid getting 10-run ruled.

Getting her first start of the year on the mound was Stuhr who pitched four innings, gave up three earned runs, and struck out eight batters.

Ava Hraban led the way for the Cavaliers offensively with one hit and three runs driven in. Knocking in two RBIs apiece were Sylliaasen, Whitney and Milliken.

Driving in one run on one hit was Johnson.

Neumann played Class C No. 4 David City Aquinas on the road on Aug. 27. They will be at Wayne at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 3 and then play Fort Calhoun at home at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 5.