Over one hundred St. Joseph-Ogden softball fans filled the stands and the fence line at Randy Wolken Field to watch the Spartans win their first game at the newly renovated softball facility. See
more photos from season opener here ...
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
ST. JOSEPH - Grace Osterbur had a stellar performance in the Spartans' first win of the season against Salt Fork last Monday, collecting three hits and scoring twice in four at-bats.
The Storm put a tick on the scoreboard in the first inning after Alexa Jamison scored on a walk with bases loaded and two outs.
Facing Sailor Pacot from the circle, SJO pitcher Ameilia Huckstadt prevailed on a 2-2 count to halt further Salt Fork runs.
SJO's Grace Osterbur slides into home plate after tagging up on a ball to deep left field.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
The Spartans replied quickly with Osterbur getting things rolling after making it on base with a fly ball to left field. She would later score to tie the game at one-all thanks to a line drive to left field by Ellie Ward.
After shutting down the Storm's offensive effort in the top of the second inning, SJO added runs on a steal from third by Timera Blackburn-Kelley, and another run from Addison Frick's smash out to left field that scored Chloe Harper from third.
Harper finished the game with two hits and a pair of stolen bases.
The Storm scored two additional runs in the third and sixth innings but were unable to mount a comeback against SJO, who maintained a one-run or better lead on a beautiful spring day at Randy Wolken Field.
"It feels good to get the win, though it didn't play out the way the girls thought," said head coach Larry Sparks, who notched his 100th win as the head coach for SJO. "It was kind of an ugly win."
St. Joseph-Ogden scored six runs on 12 hits and committed no errors. Huckstadt earned the win after striking out nine. The sophomore hurler gave up seven hits and two runs. Blackburn-Kelley, also a sophomore, pitched two innings, retiring six batters at the plate and giving up a run on two hits.
"The pitchers threw well. The hitters will have their day next week," Sparks said. The Spartans have four games on the schedule this week, starting with Normal West on Monday and finishing up on Saturday at IVC, both road contests. "It was nice to face someone who wasn't wearing our colors."
Spartan fans can catch two home games, Tuesday against Westville and Thursday with Champaign Central, at beautifully remodeled Randy Wolken Field.
The Storm's season continues with a grueling back-to-back-to-back schedule this week, starting with a Vermilion Valley conference game against Oakwood on Monday. Tuesday, the Salt Fork is at Watseka, and back at home on Wednesday against Tri-County.
Jamison led Salt Fork with three hits and collected one of three RBI. Brilynn Barnett tallied two hits and scored once. Freshman Morgan Russell, Ava Ringstrom, Karlie McGee, and Pascot had one hit each in the team's first loss of the season.
