Complete Notes
Upcoming in Gray Wolves Softball: The penultimate week of the regular season will be a busy one for Lourdes softball as the Gray Wolves play four doubleheaders in a five-day span.  Lourdes hosts Ohio Christian for the final non-conference games of the year on Wednesday before entertaining Northwestern Ohio on Thursday.  Senior Day is set for Saturday as Cleary visits Gray Wolf Field prior to a trio to Madonna on Sunday.

Head Coach Caitlin Blanchard: In her first season on the Lourdes bench, Caitlin Blanchard has a 11-14 (.440) record at the helm of the Gray Wolves as well as a collegiate head coach.  She is the only the second head coach in Lourdes program's history.

Series Notes: Ohio Christian won the only previous games against Lourdes, 12-11 and 3-1, in Circleville, Ohio last season.  Northwestern Ohio holds a 14-2 series edge against Lourdes dating back to April 5, 2014.  The Racers have won the last 14 games between the two schools after sweeping a twinbill 5-4 and 8-1 in Lima, Ohio last season.  The Gray Wolves and Cleary have split 12 previous meetings 6-6 in a series that began March 21, 2015.  Last year the Cougars swept a doubleheader 4-1 and 4-2 in Howell, Mich. to extend their winning streak to four in the series.  Madonna is 17-1 all-time against Lourdes in a series that dates back to April 14, 2013.  The Crusaders swept last year's twinbill at Gray Wolf field 7-1 and 5-1 and have won eight straight against the Gray Wolves. 

Wrapping Up Last Week: Lourdes scored multiple runs in four different innings and Megan Richardson drove in three as the Gray Wolves took game one of a doubleheader at Concordia (Mich.) 8-5 on Thursday.  The Cardinals won game two 8-6 despite a grand slam by Sophia Dauterman.  On Friday, the Gray Wolves swept a twinbill from Rochester (Mich.) 6-2 and 4-3.  Kirsten Smith went the distance in the opener while Ashley Roth allowed just one earned run in a complete game in the nightcap.

Thanks Rif: Lourdes will honor its lone senior, Ashleigh Riffle, prior to Saturday's doubleheader against Cleary.  Riffle has appeared in 44 games over three seasons, batting .319 with 20 runs batted in heading into this week.

Scouting Ohio Christian: The Trailblazers are coming off a doubleheader split with Rio Grande on Saturday.  Emma Dammeyer leads Ohio Christian batting .403 with 18 runs batted in while Lexi King has five home runs.  The pitching staff sports a 3.54 earned run average while teams hit .277 against the Trailblazers.

Scouting Northwestern Ohio: The Racers split a doubleheader on Saturday and head to Michigan-Dearborn on Wednesday before visiting Lourdes.  Anna Ankney is hitting .408 with 12 RBI while Tess Denning has hit 10 home runs this season.  Carlie Hines sports a 1.86 ERA in the circle with opponents batting .219 against her.

Scouting Cleary: The Cougars have been idle since a doubleheader sweep against Rochester (Mich.) on April 11 and host Siena Heights on Thursday before visiting Lourdes.  Kate Currie lades the team with a .382 batting average and 30 runs batted in while the pitching staff sports a 5.76 earned run average.  Opponents are hitting .332 against Cleary hurlers this year.

Scouting Madonna: The Crusaders split a doubleheader with Cornerstone on Saturday and face Concordia (Mich.) and Siena Heights this week prior to hosting Lourdes.  Veronica Pezzoni is hitting a team-leading .556 while Katie Popko bats .444 with four homers and 29 RBI.  The pitching staff sports a 1.81 earned run average with opponents hitting .241 against them.

Dauterman Earns WHAC Honors: Sophia Dauterman was named the WHAC Player of the Week after batting .538 (7-for-13) with six RBI in four games.  The redshirt-freshman hit a grand slam in game two against Concordia (Mich.) on Thursday to highlight her week.

Offensive Leaders: Brooke Albert and Emily Wallace have led the Gray Wolf offense throughout the season batting .364 and .351 respectively.  Albert has two homers and 16 RBI and is slugging .649 this year while stealing six bases.  Wallace has 10 RBI and has struck out just four times in 77 at bats.

In the Circle: Kirsten Smith has won seven games for Lourdes in the circle while limiting teams to a .258 batting average.  She sports a 3.07 ERA and has struck out 89 in 84.1 innings of work.  Smith has 10 complete games during her rookie season.

Streaking: Ashleigh Riffle and Brooke Albert have the longest current hitting streaks for the Gray Wolves entering the week at eight consecutive games.  Emily Wallace has reached base in 16 consecutive contests, and has reached safely in 24 of her last 25 games.  

This and That: Annalisse Palma has scored a team-high 23 runs ... Palma also has 12 stolen bases ... Palma, Brooke Albert, Megan Richardson, and Emily Wallace have started all 25 games ... Lourdes needs one victory to double last season's win total ... Richardson leads the team with 17 RBI.