Wednesday, May. 06, 2009

ONW softball inches closer to repeat league title

A year ago, Olathe Northwest's softball team couldn't enjoy its banquet.

The Ravens were in the midst of a breakout season that culminated in a runner-up finish in Kansas 6A, but the team's thoughts drifted throughout the banquet meant to celebrate the season that was underway.

Across town, two other teams — city rivals Olathe East and Olathe North — were battling to decide ONW's fate with respect to the Sunflower League crown.

The Ravens were rooting for (and got) a Hawks victory, which split the league crown three ways between all three teams. But it was tough not having a say in the outcome.

“Last year, our banquet was the same night as the North-East game,” senior pitcher and third baseman Hannah Dale said. “We were all on edge, so after the banquet we all went over there to watch to see if we'd tie for the Sunflower League champs.”

ONW ensured that won't be the case this spring on Tuesday with a 6-0, 9-0 sweep against Free State at the College Boulevard Activity Center.

With a win in the opening game Thursday at Shawnee Mission North or Tuesday versus Olathe South at the Olathe District Activity Center, the Ravens would guarantee themselves a share of a league championship again.

Their fate is in their hands.

“This year, it's nice to have a chance to win it ourselves,” said Dale, who struck out 12 in the opening game against the Firebirds.

Dale and fellow ace Jacinda Ramos, who struck out six in the second contest, twirled successive three-hit shutouts in the lopsided sweep as ONW improved to 16-0 overall and 9-0 in the Sunflower League.

“I'm feeling great,” Dale said. “Me and Tex (the team's nickname for Ramos) are really pitching well and giving up very few runs.”

The Ravens hope the trend, which has Dale and Ramos atop the league in ERA, continues Thursday in a showdown against SMN, which is one three teams still hoping to catch ONW in the league standings.

“It's good competition and that's what we need right now,” Ravens coach Mark Mahoney said. “Shawnee Mission North changed their schedule to have Senior Night on that night, so you know they're looking forward to it. But it'll be good. It'll be good to have an intense game and be able to battle each and every inning.”

ONW will have their own motivation against SMN and its ace, Mary Pat Specht, who is second in the league in strikeouts.

“We don't want to share the title,” Mahoney said. “We want it ourselves. Last year, we had to rely on some help, but the good thing is this year we just have to rely on our own dugout.”

Perhaps at some banquet somewhere in the metro, another softball team altogether will be distracted wondering how the Ravens are faring this time around.

“This will be like the North-East game from last year, so we're just going to have to focus in, so we can win,” said junior second baseman Kendra Wright, who was 5-for-6 with four RBIs against Free State.

Junior Amy Pierce was 3-for-6 with three steals, junior Victoria Toplikar had two hits, including a two-run home run and freshman Peyton Jones went 4-for-6 with three RBIs in the sweep.

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