The Madonna Blue Dons will head out to challenge the Toronto Red Knights at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, the two teams will really light up the scoreboard. Madonna's pitching crew enters the contest riding on the success of their clear victory from the previous day, having won convincingly against Catholic Central with an 18-0 margin on March 24, 2025. This dominance has brought them to a record of 2-1, while Toronto stands undefeated with a record of 2-0 after overcoming David Anderson 13-7 just two days prior.
Laney Danko has emerged as a major player for Toronto, showcasing her ability both on the mound and at the plate. During the game against David Anderson, Danko pitched one inning without allowing any earned runs or hits, and her batting also impressively showed her prowess—finishing with a 2-for-3 performance that included one stolen base, two RBIs, and one double. But she wasn’t alone in her standout performance; Anna Wright had a phenomenal day as well, scoring three runs and stealing two bases while going 4-for-5 at the plate with three RBIs, marking a new career high. Jaylee Brown also contributed significantly, registering three runs scored and three stolen bases, rounding out Toronto’s onslaught with a total of 16 hits against David Anderson, who managed only nine.
On the opposite side, the Madonna Blue Dons are seeking redemption after a hard loss to Toronto earlier in the season, where they fell 11-2 in their last matchup in April 2023. This game serves as a prime opportunity for Madonna to avenge that defeat. Coach Rodney Boniti has faith in their team, particularly in freshman Peyton Conley, who made a notable contribution against Catholic Central. In her second game, Conley pitched three scoreless innings while striking out six batters, showcasing her growing confidence. Her offensive contributions were equally remarkable—she went 4-for-4 driving in four runs in the dominant victory.
Boniti praised Conley’s adjustment following a tough first outing in rainy conditions, remarking, “She really settled in and found her strike zone and did an outstanding job with her control.” The freshman has demonstrated impressive early season stats, with a batting average of .636 (7-for-11) and six RBIs across the first three games of her high school career. This strong batting performance left the team averaging over 10 runs per game, having scored at least six runs in each of their matches this season.
The Blue Dons demonstrated their offensive depth in the game against Catholic Central, where other players also shone bright. Madi Owens achieved a remarkable inside-the-park three-run homer, while Rylee Birkhimer added a double and single with two RBIs. Ally Laughlin tripled in a run, further contributing to the squad’s impressive total of 18 runs. Their ability to not just get base runners on but to effectively move them around the field has created scoring opportunities and put consistent pressure on their opponents.
Despite their impressive record, Madonna's journey has not been without challenges. This year marks the relaunch of Catholic Central's softball program, which has been absent for two seasons. Their new coach, Donald Brown, understands the learning curve his primarily youthful team faces. “We knew there were going to be some growing pains,” Brown noted, emphasizing that their recent practices were aimed at bridging the gap between practice and game-day performance. Catholic Central has only one senior player, Taylor Ensminger, to lead the charge while the rest of the squad are freshman or new players, and Brown remains optimistic for the long-term prospects of the team.
“For us right now, it’s about getting out there and getting better as we go,” he remarked on the challenges faced this early in the season. Brown's hopes lie in the development of his young athletes, aiming for gradual improvement as they gain more experience on the field. The Crusaders began their season with a solid effort, scoring five runs in their debut against East Liverpool, and their optimism is evident as they continue to strive to improve their performance on the field.
The match-up between the Madonna Blue Dons and Toronto Red Knights is set to be an exciting one, with both teams filled with talented players ready to showcase their skills. As they prepare to battle it out, fans are eager to see if history will repeat itself or if Madonna will seize the opportunity to avenge their earlier defeat against Toronto.
