The Oxford Varsity Softball Team once again had a non-losing season in the Flint Metro League with a 6-6 finish, but they ladies couldn’t stop struggling overall and ended with a 13-8 loss to Lake Orion in the first round of Districts on June 1.
‘Overall it was a disappointing loss for us,? said Head Coach Sue Roeher.
Every Lady Cat got at least one hit, and almost all of the lineup scored one run, but five errors and a loss of momentum after the third inning cost them the game.
In the bottom of the third inning, Oxford grabbed a commanding lead with seven runs on 11 hits. The ladies went through their lineup one and a half times. However, the Dragons returned with their own hard hits and began chipping away at the lead.
The Lady Wildcats faltered in the top of the fourth with three errors that led to two unearned runs. Lake Orion took advantage of the situation scoring four runs on four hits in the inning, including three doubles and one single. The Dragons then continued the assault with five runs in the top of the sixth and three more in the seventh.
Oxford out hit Lake Orion 13-12, but errors (five total compared to Orion’s one) once again cost the team the game. The team wrapped up the season 14-20 overall.
The Lady Wildcats will be saying good-bye to six seniors this year, a large portion of their starting lineup. This year’s graduates are Ali Belmonte, first base; Megan Bono, second base; Kristi Curtis, utility; Shannon Gerbe, outfield; Courtney McGraw, right field; and Jenni Rhodes, third base.
‘Their strength was their perseverance,? said Roeher. ‘They were a group that regardless of the game situation, they kept everyone focused. They made sure that we never got down, we always kept fighting.?
With only four returning starters, Oxford can look forward to a challenging experience next season, but Roeher plans on building her team around them.
‘We’ll just work like we always do,? she concluded.
The Varsity Softball Team had several players receive honors for this season.
Senior Shannon Gerbe, who led the team in batting averages, was named All League First Team Outfield and All District Outfield. Senior Megan Bono and junior Jessica Anhel were each named All District.
In the Flint Metro League, Anhel received Second Team Catcher honors and Bono received Second Team Second Base honors. Amber Cervantez and Anne Marie Skylis each received honorable mentions.
Roeher was pleased to announce that team awards have also been decided. MVP for the year was given to Anhel for her outstanding performances both on and behind the plate. Stumph was presented the MIP Award, while senior Kristi Curtis earned the Coaches Award for the second year in a row.
For the first year, Coach Roeher handed out the Gold Glove Award to senior Shannon Gerbe for her outstanding performance in the outfield. Gerbe had just shy of a perfect overall fielding percentage for the season.
‘I don’t have all of her standings available at this time, but I do know in the league she had 14 balls hit and didn’t make an error on one,? said Roeher.