The AutoOne Midland Carine Cats walked away from last night’s double-header with a split result — falling short against a red-hot Fremantle Mariners in Game 1 before storming back with a clinical win over the Thornlie Hawks in Game 2.

The evening kicked off with a promising start for the Cats as Lauren Brown opened the scoring in style — stealing home off a McKenzie Vawser drive to left field. Even better, Olivia Kuzminski made her full return to the squad, boosting the infield and team morale.

Unfortunately, that would be the highlight reel against a Fremantle side that showed why they’re one of the league's most dangerous line-ups.

The Mariners responded with two runs in the first and then unleashed a six-run avalanche in the second inning, taking full advantage of the Cats’ misfires and Amy Mather's tough night in the circle. Ash Harwood was called in to steady the ship - and did exactly that - shutting Fremantle out for the remainder of the game.

While the scoreline remained locked at 8-1 in Freo’s favour, the Cats still had positives to draw from, with Brown added two more hits to her stat line, outfield singles from Michelle “Chooky” Fitzgerald, McKinley Robson, and Shelby Watts, and a sharp defensive display from Kuzminski at shortstop, with two tidy catches.

The loss stung, but the team cohesion in the latter innings gave the Cats a solid foundation heading into Game 2, as the Cats regrouped, refocused, and returned to form against a determined Thornlie Hawks side.

Ash Harwood remained in the circle and was untouchable, delivering a dominant pitching performance that held the Hawks scoreless - a well-deserved shutout win for Carine.

At the plate, the Cats came out hot in the first innings with singles to Brown, Kuzminski, and Harwood and a crunching centre field triple from Annaliese Daley, driving in three runs.

While the scoring slowed after that opening flurry, the Cats still eked out two more runs thanks to consistent pressure, with hits from Fitzgerald, Watts, and two more from Brown, who finished the night batting 1.000 across both games — an outstanding display of consistency and contact.

Lauren Brown and McKinley Robson deservedly taking away the Whitfords Brewery $50 Vouchers.

NEXT UP: EARLY BIRD SPECIAL AGAINST MONARCHS
The Cats return to single-game action next week, taking on the Bayswater Monarchs in an early fixture - a perfect chance for our rising junior stocks to shine and still be tucked into bed on time for school on Friday!