OPRF senior Ireland Flannery is a catalyst at the bottom of the batting order for the Huskies. She recently crushed a home run in a 10-7 victory over area rival Trinity. (File photo)

The Oak Park and River Forest High School softball team stayed hot last week, outscoring its opponents 67-13 en route to five wins in six games.

The Huskies’ lone blemish was a 4-1 loss against Downers Grove South on April 15 in a showdown between two of the state’s best teams.

Despite the loss to the Mustangs, OPRF looked impressive with wins over area rivals Trinity 10-7, Morton 14-2 and Riverside-Brookfield 20-0, along with a doubleheader sweep of Glenbard North 12-0, 10-0 Saturday.

“I think we have gotten off to a good start,” OPRF senior catcher/outfielder Sydney Babbington said about the team’s 12-2 record. “There are some minor things we can work on improving. Coach [Mel] Kolbusz calls softball a game of inches.

“Whether it’s working out, being prepared for games or even eating right, everyone is pulling their weight. It’s a coordinated effort on all levels.”

Here are some observations about the Huskies as they approach the midpoint of the regular season.

Loaded lineup: The Huskies have no weak spots offensively. Senior center fielder Sam Linde and freshman second baseman Fiona Girardot set the table at the top of the order (they both hit for power as well), followed by sophomore shortstop Maeve Nelson, senior third baseman Ellie Ziegler, senior first baseman Caitlyn Santiago, senior pitcher Emily Richardson and senior right fielder Hannah Hassan. Babbington and senior left fielder Ireland Flannery make up a solid bottom of the order.

“I think we all just know what types of pitches we’re looking for at the plate,” Santiago said. “It’s nice knowing if someone isn’t hitting, the players behind her will. We also have players off the bench like Allison (Smart) and Mariah (Scott) who are good hitters that we really believe in.”

OPRF pitchers Chardonnay Harris (5-2), Emily Richardson (7-0) and Emily Cekander have been beneficiaries of an offense averaging 8.8 runs per game.

Irish eyes are smiling: One of the highlights of the season occurred during the Huskies’ 10-7 win against Trinity on April 11. Flannery, the smallest OPRF player, blasted a solo home run and finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored against the Blazers.

“It’s not my first home run as a Huskie but it’s my first one over the fence,” said Flannery with a laugh. “So I guess it’s like the first real home run.”

Bombs away: The Huskies hit four homers Saturday in their 12-0 win over host Glenbard North in Game 1 of a doubleheader. Nelson (3-for-5) belted a three-run homer, while Richardson had two solo homers and Linde (3-for-5) added one for OPRF. Hassan went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

 

 

 

Best in the area: The ultimate goal for OPRF, which finished 33-4 and third in the Class 4A state playoffs last year, is a state title this season. Until that quest begins in late May, the Huskies can at least lay claim to being the best in the near west suburbs. OPRF has already beaten local rivals Trinity, Fenwick, Morton and Riverside-Brookfield.

“We have played with some of the girls from other teams,” Flannery said. “It’s nice to see them on the field, but of course we want to win.”

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