Memphis, Tn- It was a day about more than just wins and losses at Christian Brothers, it was Senior Day, a chance to honor the players who helped build the program. And fittingly, the Lady Bucs fought with heart, resilience, and pride, taking two of three games in a hard-fought series against Union (TN).
Game 1: Pitching and Patience Lead to Shutout Victory (CBU 3, Union 0)
Christian Brothers opened the day with a composed and disciplined performance, leaning on stellar pitching and timely execution to secure a 3-0 shutout.
Emily Schooler was dominant in the circle. Earning her 400th strikeout of her career, and tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing just five hits and striking out five. She controlled the tempo from start to finish, shutting down any momentum Union tried to build.
Offensively, the Lady Bucs made the most of their opportunities. Abby Drabek sparked the scoring in the third inning with an aggressive steal of home, setting the tone. She later added an RBI and caused constant disruption on the bases with two stolen bags.
Kate Candies and Mackenzie Gieseler each crossed the plate, while patience at the plate, Five total walks, helped Christian Brothers manufacture runs despite only four hits.
It was a clean, confident win, exactly the kind of performance that reflects a veteran-led team.
Game 2: Big Swings and a Tough Comeback Fall Just Short (Union 9, CBU 7)
The second game turned into an offensive battle, with both teams trading big innings in a back-and-forth contest.
After falling behind early, Christian Brothers responded in a big way in the second inning. Marin Beeson delivered a clutch two-RBI single, and the Lady Bucs capitalized on Union miscues to take a 4-2 lead.
However, a seven-run third inning by Union flipped the game, putting CBU in a hole they couldn't quite climb out of.
Still, the Lady Bucs showed fight. In the fifth inning, Kate Candies ripped an RBI double, Mackenzie Gieseler added a sacrifice fly, and McKenzie Shinabery drove in another run to cut the deficit to two.
CBU finished with 10 hits, led by multi-hit efforts from Beeson, Candies, Shinabery, and Abby Drabek, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
Despite the loss, the energy and determination never wavered, a reflection of strong leadership from the senior class.
Game 3: Early Surge Holds Up in Senior Day Finale (CBU 3, Union 2)
In the rubber match, Christian Brothers delivered when it mattered most, using a strong early inning and lockdown pitching to secure the series win.
The Lady Bucs struck in the second inning, plating all three of their runs. Ashley Williamson got things started with an RBI double, followed by RBI singles from Marin Beeson and Katelyn Harmon.
Once again, Emily Schooler led the way in the circle. She threw another complete game, allowing just two runs (one earned) while striking out five. When Union threatened late, Schooler stayed composed and shut the door.
CBU's defense also came up big, turning key plays to protect the narrow lead and seal the victory.
A Salute to the Seniors
More than anything, the day belonged to the seniors. Their leadership, toughness, and commitment were on full display throughout the series. From clutch hits to steady defense and unwavering energy, they set the standard for what it means to wear a Christian Brothers uniform.
Their impact goes far beyond the stat sheet, they've built a foundation of resilience and pride that will carry on long after this season.
And on Senior Day, they didn't just get recognized, they got a series win to remember.
