On Tuesday the Cabrini softball team traveled to Riverview to face league rival Gabriel Richard in a doubleheader.  A high school rivalry that borders on the level of U of M v. MSU continued in great fashion for the Monarchs.

In game #1 the Monarchs struck first with a solo home run to left field by Senior Madison Buerkle.  That was followed up by Sophomore Wyndhem Reid driving in Freshman Ella Nowc, in as a courtesy runner for Sophomore pitcher Mackenzie Noah, with the eventual winning run. Noah once again was dominant from the mound striking out 18.

Game #2 was also a battle with the Monarchs again pulling out a hard fought 3-1 victory. It definitely wasn't easy with Cabrini holding a 1-0 nothing lead going into the bottom of the fifth. Gabriel Richard scored a quick run to tie the score and had runners on second and third with just one out.  The Monarchs were able to regroup, pull together and blank them the rest of the way.

In the top of the seventh Reid came through again. After Freshman Lily Vallimont and Noah singled, Junior Cayleigh Muglia came to bat. Nowc again went in as a courtesy runner for Noah. Muglia laid down a beautiful sacrifice bunt to move the runners up to second and third.  Reid, who had scored earlier in the game on a single by Buerkle, came thru again, with a two-run single scoring both Vallimont and Nowc to secure the win. Noah struck out twelve in another epic battle with Richard's Chelsea Collins. 

Back to Buerkle's home run in game one. It was momentous for both her and the Monarchs. It was the first home run of her career and lifted Cabrini, as demonstrated by the unbridled joy of her teammates as she rounded the bases. No pre-planned dances, exaggerated home run trots and over the top chest pounding, just pure joy by a high school athlete who was experiencing what little kids dream of when growing up.  She was overcome with emotion in the dugout and it was evident that she was cherishing the moment.

As a high school coach, it's what you dream of. Not a travel team loaded with a lot of talented girls, but a group of students playing for the pride of their school in a rivalry game. Girls pulling together for bragging rights and then proudly singing the school fight song on the bus ride home. High school softball at its finest and how it's supposed to be played. Go Monarchs!