OSCODA — Playing in horrible weather conditions, 36 degrees with a 52-mile per hour gusting wind blowing into their faces, the Grayling girls softball team still managed to overwhelm Oscoda in a non-conference doubleheader Thursday afternoon on the road, 20-1 and 8-7 in walk-off fashion.
The first game only went four innings because of the large lead, with Katelyn Kanary taking the win in the pitcher’s circle for the Vikings.
She threw a no-hitter and struck out three.
Kanary aided her own cause at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and one run batted in. Sage Jones also was 2-for-3 with an RBI, and Jillian Hartman stroked a three-run double.
“The girls had an excellent attitude in the weather,” said Vikings head coach Doug Paulus. “They stayed active, stayed engaged and their performance was exceptional in the weather.”
Game 2 was much closer, and more exciting, with the Vikings snapping a 7-7 with a run in the bottom of the sixth inning for the win.
Jessica Campbell earned the pitching victory in relief, allowing just three hits and striking out three.
Leading the Vikings in hitting in the second game was Anna Wood who was 3-for-3 at the plate, including a double which drove in the winning run. She also had a triple.
Campbell had doubled just ahead of Wood’s plate appearance, and she scored the deciding run. Jesse Menard finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
“We’re a very young team,” Paulus said. “We have five freshmen in the mix, including all three of the pitchers. The energy level is phenomenal right now.
“Fielding is just great. We only had one error on the night against Oscoda. The work ethic is amazing.”
Grayling went 4-1-1 for the week, and is scheduled to host Roscommon on Monday, travel to Houghton Lake on Tuesday and then at Beaverton on Friday if the weather permits.
