The Onaga High School softball team entered their game against Oskaloosa on Monday afternoon coming off four straight losses in close games, the last two by one run against Riverside. With a 2-4 record, the Buffaloes were looking to get back in the lefthand side of the win column on the road against the Bears.
Onaga fired up the offense in the first inning, when sophomore Annie Force doubled on the first pitch of her at bat, scoring one run. The Buffaloes kept the offense going throughout the game, then with the game tied at five, Onaga took a 6-5 lead in the top of the fifth when they scored on an error.
The Buffaloes then put up three runs in the seventh inning to take a big lead late. Freshman Emmarsyn Fordham and senior Emma Kolterman each drove in runs during the final frame to give them a big cushion heading into the bottom of the seventh.
The Buffaloes had built a seven-run lead heading into the final half inning and were then able to hold off Oskaloosa's charge. The Bears scored six runs in the failed comeback on a error, a double by Lydia Turner, and another error, before Onaga finally got the third out to seal the 12-11 win.
Freshman Addison DeChant was the winning pitcher for Onaga. The righthander surrendered 11 runs on seven hits over seven innings, striking out eight.
Kyra King took the loss for Oskaloosa. She went five and a third innings, allowing nine runs on 17 hits, striking out four and walking one.
Onaga saw the ball well today, racking up 20 hits in the game. DeChant, junior Hayden Kuhlman, Kolterman, freshmen Lauryn Marten, Jadyn Haskin, Abbie Ringel, Fordham, and Force all managed multiple hits for the Buffaloes. Kolterman, Kuhlman, and DeChant led the team as each managed three hits in the game.
Oskaloosa racked up seven hits on the day. Turner and Mya King all collected multiple hits for the Bears, with Turner leading the way with three hits in three at bats.
In game two, the Buffaloes were the team coming back as they nabbed the lead late in the game in an 8-7 victory.
A four-run lead in the third inning was just enough for Onaga to hold off the Bears for the victory. Oskaloosa tallied five runs in the failed comeback. Daisy Renae, Kyra King, Lydia Turner, and Parris Oliva Marsh fueled the rally with RBIs.
Onaga took an early lead in the second inning when sophomore Bridgett Campbell singled on a 3-1 count, scoring three runs.
Oskaloosa's big inning came when they scored three runs in the fifth which came off of RBI-singles by King and Renae.
Campbell led things off in the pitcher's circle for Onaga. The fireballer lasted seven innings, allowing six hits and seven runs while striking out six.
King started the game for the Bears and pitched all seven innings, allowing nine hits and eight runs while striking out two.
The Buffaloes tallied nine hits in game two. Emmarsyn Fordham and Abbie Ringel each had multiple hits to lead the team. Oskaloosa totaled six hits, with Turner and King each having two.
Onaga now sits at 4-4 on the season and are currently fourth in their nine-team regional, with their next game coming up on Thursday, April 6th, against 1-5 Southern Lyon County. First pitch is set for 4:30pm in Onaga.