O’Neill Eagle Softball Kicks Off 2011 Season

The O’Neill Eagle High School softball team began the 2011 season on Saturday, Aug. 20, with three games in the York Tournament.  OHS travelled to York with 17 players on the roster, eight that were involved in their first varsity competition.  

The Eagles were competitive throughout the day, defeating York 10-8, and losing to Crete 3-2 and Filmore Central 5-1.

In the opening game against Crete, the Eagles played tough defense, but couldn’t put together enough offense for the victory.  Jessi Simons, Dani Barelmann, Desi Pinkerman and Kelci Ross each had hits for the Eagles.  The battery of Rachel Price and Carli Baseggio combined to allow only five singles.  Price also struck out eight and walked only one.  

Next up for O’Neill was fifth ranked Fillmore Central.  Again, OHS played excellent defense, committing only two errors in seven innings.  Erin Boyle had 11 put-outs at first, Price had five assists and freshman, Randi Pinkerman, had two key assists at second.  Fillmore Central  had eight hits, while pitcher Rachel Price struck out three and didn’t walk a batter.   Toni Hamik, Jean Zac and Marisa Miles each had singles in the contest.  Breanna Jakubowski drove in Kelci Ross in the seventh inning for the Eagles only run of the game.

The last game of the day was a wild one against host York.  With the Eagles needing a win, they came out ready, pounding out eight hits in the first three innings and rolling to a 10-0 lead.  Desi Pinkerman drove in Barelmann and Simons in the first with a stand-up triple.  In the third, Miles and Boyle reached on an error and a fielders choice.  Then Simons, Barelmann,  Pinkerman and Hamik had consecutive hits to break the game open.  York battled back in the sixth and seventh but couldn’t overcome the deficit. Alex Atkins had two key assists at second in the third and fourth innings to help stop York’s offense.   Pinkerman finished the game at third with a line out and double play back to Ariel Lichty at first.  Price and Baseggio combined for the win, striking out three and walking only two in seven innings.

The Eagles host Wayne on Tuesday, Aug. 23, travel to Twin River on Thursday and finish the week at the Wisner Tournament on Saturday.