Huckstadt’s Nine Strikeouts Lead SJ-O Spartans to 6-3 Season-Opening Win Over Salt Fork

By Fred Kroner

Amelia Huckstadt struck out nine batters in five innings on Tuesday (March 12) as the St. Joseph-Ogden softball team opened its season with a 6-3 victory at home over Salt Fork.

Reliever Timera Blackburn-Kelly pitched the last two innings and struck out six batters.

Driving in runs for the Spartans were Blackburn-Kelly, Halle Brazelton, Hayden Dahl, Addison Frick and Ellie Ward.

Grace Osterbur headlined the offensive attack, going 3-for-4. Ward collected two hits as did Chloe Harper. Blackburn-Kelly, Brazelton, Frick, Emma McKinney and Chayse Palmer all stroked one hit.

Osterbur scored two SJ-O runs. Other runs were scored by Blackburn-Kelly, Brazelton, Harper and Addy Martinie.

SJ-O (1-0) returns to action on Monday (March 18) at Normal West.