Wednesday, Apr. 01, 2009

ONW softball sweeps, North splits with SMN

Olathe Northwest's and Olathe North's softball teams had to call off a doubleheader last week only a few innings into play, which effectively delayed the start of the season for both eager and anxious teams.

When the Ravens finally and officially opened the season Wednesday at the College Boulevard Activity Center, the results for last year's Class 6A runners-up were impressive.

Starters Hannah Dale and Jacinda Ramos scattered five hits and combined for 23 strikeouts in a 5-0 and 4-0 sweep against Shawnee Mission East.

“I couldn't ask for a better season-opener for not seeing much live pitching and being indoors as much as we've been so far,” ONW coach Mark Mahoney said. “It was really exciting, because we were so ready for the North game and we've been cooped up inside for a while.”

The offense, which banged out 20 hits, drew the most rave reviews.

“I was very impressed,” Mahoney said. “I think we're stronger offensively this year — much stronger than I expected.”

The Ravens graduated only one player off last year's team, but twins Alexis and Candace Boeh elected not to play this spring while Kelsey Anselmi was forced to the bench after ankle surgery. That created holes to fill in right field, at third base and at catcher and also theoretically hurt the lineup.

“We were excited to have everyone return, but I understand their reasons (for not playing) and don't blame them,” junior Kendra Wright said. “It just creates an opportunity for someone else and we have girls that are already stepping up.”

Victoria Toplikar and Kristi Lee, for instance, started the season like gangbusters to help pick up some slack.

Toplikar had a two-run single and an RBI double in the first game, finishing a home run shy of the cycle. Dale, who struck out 11, added two RBIs.

Wright added a sacrifice fly and RBI single in the nightcap, which also featured a steal of home by Toplikar, an RBI double by Lee and 12 strikeouts by Ramos.

North manages split against SMN

SM North's Mary Pat Specht kept Olathe North largely in check during the opening game Wednesday at the Olathe District Activity Center.

The Eagles managed seven hits but only scratched one run in a 5-1 loss, which was pinned on Rachel Hein.

But Hein and North rebounded in the second game for a 4-3 win and a doubleheader split.

The Eagles' offense erupted in the fifth inning that game.

Sophomore Amanda Vaupel, who went 4-for-4 with two doubles, started the ruckus with a one-out single. She scored on sophomore Megan McCracken's triple, while juniors Mo O'Connor and Sam Talley followed with doubles. Talley also had a triple in the game.

Hein struck out seven in the win.

First game

OLATHE NORTHWEST 5, SM EAST 0

SME 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 3 0

ONW 3 0 1 0 1 0 x — 5 12 0

W — Hannah Dale (1-0).

Second game

OLATHE NORTHWEST 4, SM EAST 0

SME 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 2 1

ONW 1 0 1 2 0 0 x — 4 8 1

W — Jacinda Ramos (1-0).

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