JOHN CURTIS - Daily Union Sports Editor
"Ah, Paris in the spring!" Sounds great, but it was not so great for Okaw Valley softball on Wednesday, as they lost their season road opener, 8-3.
The Tiger act was unleashed against the Lady Timberwolves as they hit the ball and put pressure on the Okaw defense. Senior ace, Rachel Marshall only allowed five earned runs, despite being rocked for 14 hits and giving up just two walks, while striking out just three in the 7-inning contest. Defense is key to Okaw's success, as well as their own offense. However, the T'Wolves only managed eight hits in seven innings and two players had half of the hits.
Sophomore standout in track and softball, Olivia Herzog, decided to play softball again this year, instead of just concentrating on track. Good for Okaw. She went 2-for-3, smacking a pair doubles, Charley Phillips also had a pair of hits, hitting 2-of-4. The rest of the Pack scattered four hits among them. As a team, the T'Wolves struck out 12 times and drew just three walks.
Okaw Valley (0-1) travels to Stew-Stras on Friday at 4:15 p.m., along with the Okaw Valley baseball team traveling to play the Stew-Stras baseball team on Friday.
Paris 8, Okaw Valley 3
Okaw stats: Herzog 2-for-3, 2 2Bs; Phillips 2-for-4. Pitching (L) Marshall 6 IP, 8 runs (5 ER), 14 hits, 2 BBs, 3 Ks.
Paris stats: Strow 4-for-4; Wright 2-for-3. Pitching (W) Geher 7 IP, 3 runs (2 ER), 8 hits, 3 BB, 12 Ks.
