By John Hirl
The Oskaloosa Softball Team put on an impressive showing at the Osky Classic Softball Tournament, going 3-0 on Saturday.
Inclement weather delayed and threatened to cancel the tourney, but the Lacey Recreation Complex grounds crew was able to restore the fields in time to keep the tourney on. That was good for the Indians, who move to 9-1 on the year after going unbeaten on the day.
Game one saw Oskaloosa taking on the Lynville-Sully Hawks. Osky took the lead early in the first inning after Josie Bunnell leadoff the first inning with a hit, and later came around to score via Maddie Haines double.
The Indians would end up with five runs as they added one run in the second, two in the third and one in the fifth.
They wouldn’t need all that insurance however, because Haylee Hacker (7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 K) shut down the Hawk offense all day, giving Oskaloosa the 5-0 win.
Game two saw Oskaloosa trying a new starting pitcher to take the strain off Hacker. Faith DeRonde, an 8th grader, got the start for the Indians vs the Lightning for Iowa City Liberty High School.
The Indians jumped ahead early, scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the first courtesy of Ava Vande Wall and Taylor Wills RBIs. The Indians would add to their lead, scoring one run in the 3rd and 4th innings.
It was 5-0 when the Lightning started to figure out the young DeRonde in the top of the 5th. They scored three runs, but the young Indian was able to battle out of the jam to keep her team ahead.
Time limitations would cut the game short, and the Indians would get the win 5-3.
