By Fred Kroner
St. Joseph-Ogden’s softball team was shut out for the first time this season at home on Thursday (April 21) in a 2-0 loss to Pontiac.
Kelsey Martlage took the loss. Martlage allowed two hits in five innings. She walked three and struck out two. Alyssa Acton pitched the final two innings.
All of SJ-O’s last five losses have been by no more than two runs.
Collecting hits for the Spartans were Acton, Hallie Brazelton, Peyton Jones and Addy Martinie. Jones and Sammy Uden each stole a base.
On Friday (April 22), the Spartans battled IVC to a 1-1 tie in a game that was suspended after 12 innings by darkness.
Martinie accounted for the lone SJ-O run with her seventh home run of the season in the fourth inning. Martinie also drew a walk, the only one the team received.
The other SJ-O hit was a double by Jones.
SJ-O batters struck out 26 times. Ten different Spartans went to the plate. Jones was the only one who did not strike out at least once.
Acton pitched all 12 innings for the Spartans and fanned 11 batters and walked two. She allowed seven hits.
On Saturday (April 23), SJ-O scored twice in the bottom of the seventh inning, but fell short against Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond, 7-6.
Acton drilled two hits (a double and a triple), as did Jones, Grace Osterbur and Martinie. Acton knocked in three runs.
Jones scored two runs and stole two bases. She also pitched the first 2 1/3 innings and took the loss. Acton relieved and worked the last 4 2/3 innings. She struck out four and walked no one.
SJ-O (14-7-1) returns to action on Monday (April 25) at Maroa-Forsyth.
