The Oxford varsity softball team wrapped up a busy couple of weeks with an overall 7-12 record and a 2-4 record in the Flint Metro League.
This past week, the Lady Cats faced off in league competition against the two Lapeers.
On May 6, the ladies lost to Lapeer West 5-0 in game one and 3-1 in game two.
‘The Oxford defense self destructed again with five errors and only four hits all game,? said Roeher about game one. Also during this game Anhel went two for three, Gerbe one for three and Bono one for two.
In game two, Claire Vernarsky scored the Lady Cats one run at the bottom of the first. Oxford held West until the bottom of the fifth.
With two outs, Shannon Gerbe singled followed by Vernarsky with a double. Gerbe reached third and headed home on an over throw. She slid into home just as Lapeer West’s catcher put the tag on and then dropped the ball. The ump called Gerbe out. West ran with the Wildcat set back to score two more runs later in the sixth inning and win the game.
‘We played well enough to win against the toughest team in the Metro,? said Roeher, ‘but we didn’t get any breaks.?
Against Lapeer East the Lady Cats faired better winning game one 0-5 and game two 1-8.
In the first game, Oxford’s defense really got on the ball with only one error in seven innings. At bat, Rendell went one for two with two runs scored; Anhel went one for three with one RBI and one run scored; Mitchell went one for three with one RBI; and Bergum went one for three.
In the second game, Cervantez went two for two with one run scored, McGraw when one for one; and Gerbe, Vernarsky, Rendell, McGraw and Curtis all had one hit a piece.
‘The great defense all day made a difference in the game’s outcome,? said Roeher.
Back on May 3 and 4, the varsity softball team split at the North Star Tournament in Brandon with two wins and three loses.
In game one, Oxford won against Waterford Our Lady 7-6. Anhel went three for three with three RBIs and two runs scored while teammate Cervantez had two RBIs. Winning pitcher Vernarsky had five hits, three earned runs and two strike outs in seven innings.
‘This was a great outing for Vernarsky,? said Roehr. ‘She threw consistantly well.?
The Lady Wildcats lost in game two 6-7 against Fraser. The Oxford defense had four errors, but put more balls in play offensively. Gerbe went two for three with one RBI and one run scored; Anhel went three for four with three RBIs and one run scored; and Rendell went two for three with one run scored.
Game three saw Oxford losing to Flushing 1-2 with the Lady Cats being hurt by two errors and only three hits the entire game.
‘We played well enough to hang with them throughout the game,? said Roeher, ‘but we had two errors that killed us.?
Oxford came back in game four of the tournament to defeat Detroit Renaissance 6-2. Roeher was pleased to see the team show a great defensive performance. Winning pitcher Vernarsky had only five hits, zero earned runs and four strike outs over five innings.
In the final match-up, the Lady Cats took a tight 1-2 loss against Lincoln Park. Once again errors lost Oxford the game. Losing pitcher Vernarsky went for seven innings with nine hits, one earned run and five strike outs.
At the bat, Oxford only had four hits the entire time. Anhel went two for three with one run scored; Gerbe one for three; Mitchell one for two; and Cervantez had the only RBI.
‘We’ve made huge strides as a team,? said Roeher. ‘We’re starting to put more balls in play and tighten up on defense.?
Oxford now prepares for a May 15 game against Fenton.