Sweep of Trojans keeps softball team in hunt for conference crown
The Onaway High School softball team remained in position to keep its Ski valley Conference dominance alive Monday when it swept visiting Central Lake, 3-2 and 15-0.
The victories improved the Cardinals’ SVC record to 9-1, heading into yesterday’s (Thursday’s) doubleheader at Division 4 honorable mention Mancelona. OHS is 11-6 overall and ranked sixth in Division 4.
Emily Estep led the way from the mound and at the plate in the opener against the Trojans. Estep allowed two runs on two hits, walking three and fanning seven in seven innings. The Cards made one error behind her.
Onaway managed just four hits, with Emily Estep belting a two-run homerun. Jade Galer had a pair of singles, while Temara Lupu had a double.
The nightcap was nowhere near as close, with 11 straight Red Birds reaching base to open a 10-run third inning. Emily Estep allowed three hits, walked one, and fanned two in four innings. Onaway made no errors and exploded for 17 hits.
Galer went 3-for-3 with a triple and three runs scored, Erika Price went 3-for-3, Morganne Badgero went 3-for-4 with a double and three runs, Lupu went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI, and Lexi Szymoniak had a two-run homerun.
Two days earlier, the Cards participated in a tournament at Petoskey, dropping the one game they played, 7-1, to Escanaba. Emily Estep allowed seven runs, four earned, on eight hits and two walks, fanning six.
OHS made three errors and had six hits, with Galer going 2-for-2 with a double and Lupu going 2-for-3. Onaway was up 2-0 in the top of the third against Petoskey when the tournament was called for weather.
Last Thursday, the Cardinals swept Bellaire, winning 7-0 and 13-0. Emily Estep allowed two hits, walked one, and fanned eight in seven shutout innings in the opener. The Cards made one error and had 12 hits.
Lupu went 3-for-4 with a homerun, a double, two RBI, and two runs scored. Emily Estep was 3-for-4 with a homerun and two runs scored. Megan Estep had two dou
The Red Birds broke open a tight game in the nightcap with six runs in the fourth and five runs in the fifth. Emily Estep allowed two hits, walked none, and fanned five in five innings. Onaway made no errors and had 14 hits.
Megan Estep went 3-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored, Sam Brasseur was 3-for-3 with a triple and three runs scored, Emily Estep was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, and Badgero was 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
The Cardinals will travel to Pellston on Tuesday and will host Inland Lakes next Friday.