In their first game of the season, the Varsity girl’s softball team withstood a late comeback from Romeo, defeating them 5-3 and earning Head Coaches Kristi McDevitt and Dana Nowacki their first victory.
Junior Corrine Luxton started the game and held the Bulldogs scoreless for the first three innings before they were able to break through and score the first run of the game and take a 1-0 lead on a Wildcat error in the bottom of the third. Luxton settled down, and she and the Wildcat defense were able to hold the Bulldogs scoreless for the next two innings.
In the fifth inning, the Wildcat offense came alive. Junior Allie Laidlaw led the way with a two run double, scoring Seniors Sarah Kessler and Jessica Taraski. By the final out of the innings, the Wildcats were up 2-1.
After not scoring in the sixth, the Wildcats were able to extend their lead to 5-1. Laidlaw began the two out rally with a single, and Freshman Cassie Edgeman was able to beat out the throw to first after the Romeo catcher dropped strike three, extending the inning. Luxton then walked to load the bases, and Junior Kelly Cartner smashed bases clearing line drive into the gap, giving the Wildcats a comfortable four run lead.
However, Oxford would need that cushion to withstand the Bulldog charge in the bottom of the seventh, which was lead off by a homerun, cutting the lead to 5-2. An error lead to another Romeo run after Luxton hit and walked the previous two batters. The defense finally clamped down and got the finals three outs, preserving the 5-3 victory.
‘It was really cool to win our first game of the season.? Our defense really proved themselves and of course it also showed a lot of areas where we still need improvement? said Coach McDevitt. ?
‘All in all, great first outing and starting point, we just need to keep improving on a weekly basis? she said.