By Kristi McDevitt
Sports Correspondent
Oxford head coach Sue Roeher is excited, and rightfully so.
Her varsity squad went head to head against two very tough league opponents this past week, and in the process, evolved together as a team. It all started against Lapeer West last Monday.
In the first game of the night, great defense plus aggressive hitting equated to Oxford’s success.
Senior captain Jessica Anhel and junior Mary Bono both went 1 for 3 in the game and scored both of the Ladycat’s runs in the 2-1 win. Junior Jamie Badia was 1 for 2 with a single and the game winning RBI, and freshman Kelsey Oliver went 2 for 3 in the opener.
Senior caption Amber Cervantez notched another win pitching all seven innings, striking out five Panther batters and allowing only three hits.
In the nightcap, Oxford couldn’t rally back after allowing four Panther runs in two innings. Sophomore AnnMarie Skylis went 2 for 4, hitting Jamie Badia in for Oxford’s only run in the 5-1 defeat. Although the Ladycats split with the Panthers, Roeher dubbed the victory ‘a HUGE win? and she added that the game one victory was ‘a much needed pick-me-up.?
Using their positive momentum from Monday’s game, the Ladycats focused on league nemesis Ortonville-Brandon.
It was a hard fought battle, matching the BlackHawks hit for hit, pitch for pitch, and run for run in both games, but Oxford had just a little more heart in the end.
In the game one nail-biter, Oxford scored first with a run in the first, but after allowing four Brandon runs in the bottom of the fourth, the Ladycats found themselves down 1-4 with time running out. Down, but not out, Oxford hitters began chipping away at the lead by scoring three runs in the top of the fifth inning. Brandon scored one more run in the bottom of the sixth going up 5-4.
Oxford had the top of the seventh to come through and take the lead, and they didn’t disappoint. Oxford’s aggressive hitting soon tied the game at 5-5 with runners still on base and Freshman Kelsey Oliver at the plate. The freshman slugger rose to the occasion and hit in the game winning run. Their offensive job done, the Ladycat’s defense had to hold strong for the bottom of the inning with the BlackHawks at the plate. Oxford’s defense didn’t disappoint, and the Ladycats emerged victorious 6-5.
Oliver went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI’s, AnnMarie Skylis went 3 for 4 with three runs scored, and Jessica Anhel was 2 for 4 with 3 RBI’s.
Pitcher Amber Cervantez pitched all seven innings on the mound, and was 3 for 4 at the plate with an RBI, and two runs scored.
In the second game, it was Brandon who scored first. Oxford caught them briefly at the top of the third, but the BlackHawks scored the go ahead run at the bottom of the inning and the Ladycats found themselves down 1-2. The lead was short-lived as Oxford came out swinging in the fourth, scoring four runs, making the score 5-2 and never looking back.
Oxford’s solid defensive effort and impressive offensive display earned the Ladycat’s their second victory of the night over the BlackHawks 5-4.
Senior captain Amber Cervantez continued to make her presence known both on the mound and at the plate.
She pitched all seven innings of the second game (14 innings on the night) went 2 for 4, had three RBI’s, and scored a run for the Ladycats. Every hitter in the Oxford line-up had a least one hit in the victory.
Jamie Badia was 2 for 4, senior Amanda Crump and junior Mary Bono were 3 for 4, and Anhel went 2 for 3 with 2 RBI’s.
The hard fought victory over Ortonville-Brandon and the split with West earlier in the week showed an Oxford squad capable of winning the league.
‘A great week on the diamond; playing two tough opponents like Brandon and West, and taking 3 of 4 games’FINALLY, we are all on the same page!? Roeher said. The victory improves the Ladycat’s record to 5-1 in the league and 10-12 overall.