By Teddy Rydquist
Leader Staff Writer
Bringing their 2021 record to 19-7 (6-0 Oakland Activities Association Red Division), the Oxford Wildcats softball program went 4-2 from May 11-14.
The week began by welcoming in an OAA Red foe, the Rochester Adams Highlanders, for the team’s final home league series of the season on May 11.
Racking up a total of 28 hits, the Wildcats won both Highlander games by a score of 13-3.
Junior right-hander Abby Witt tossed all five innings in the first tilt, striking out two and throwing 60 of her 77 pitches for strikes. Standout senior second baseman Alexis Cardona went 3-for-4 with four runs batted in (RBI), and junior catcher Ryann Makowski, senior center fielder Emma Morris, and third baseman Mya Spisz, another junior, each added two hits.
Morris’ name is likely familiar to readers of The Oxford Leader as she was a three-year starter at shooting guard for Rachel Bryer’s basketball program.
Sophomore Ashlyn Witt completed all six innings in the second game, allowing just two earned runs and striking out five Rochester Adams hitters.
Cardona and junior designated hitter Kiersten Ihrke both collected three hits, with junior left fielder Olivia Makarewicz, Makowski, and senior right fielder Alexis Stoll all finishing with two.
To complete their week, the Wildcats played two non-league home doubleheaders, winning both games with the North Branch Broncos on May 12 and dropping a pair to the Richmond Blue Devils on May 14.
Oxford had their fourth league doubleheader of the season on Tuesday, traveling to Farmington High School to battle the Falcons, and will host the Flint Metro League’s (FML) Fenton Tigers for two games on Wednesday, which will serve as the program’s Senior Night.
The first Fenton game begins at 4:30 p.m.
 
Four Wildcats participate
in Signing Day ceremony
During their clash with Richmond, Oxford recognized their four members of the Class of 2021 who will continue their student-athlete careers at the collegiate level.
Cardona has signed with the Davenport Panthers, a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II program. Located in Grand Rapids, Davenport competes in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), the same league where the Ferris State Bulldogs, Grand Valley State Lakers, Saginaw Valley State Cardinals, and Wayne State Warriors reside.
Shortstop Meghan Lupu is headed to Adrian to play for the Bulldogs, who are a Division III program and belong to the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).
A tremendous athlete, Lupu also starred for Brian Kim’s volleyball program, and in this journalist’s opinion, could have played that sport at the collegiate level if she had chosen, as well.
Morris, like Cardona, will be playing for a Division II program, the Lake Erie Storm. Based in Painesville, Ohio, the Storm are members of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), the league the Northwood Timberwolves will be joining on July 1, 2022.
Stoll has signed with the Albion Britons, who also reside in the MIAA, meaning she and Lupu will have the opportunity to play against each other at the next level.
To each of these four young women: Congratulations, keep making your hometown proud!