It was a hot, sizzling Saturday and OPRF softball pitcher Holly Roadruck added to the heat by throwing a shutout as the Huskies downed Leyden 3-0 to win their own regional title.
In the first inning, Leyden got a base hit, but Roadruck (13-2) notched her first strikeout to end the inning. She fanned all three batters in the second. The Huskies (28-4) scored two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Mary Zinni reached base on an error and advanced on a sacrifice bunt. Roadruck drew a walk, and Clare O’Connor got a base hit to center field to load the bases. Alex Morocco got the RBI single as Zinni scored on a close play at the plate. Leyden was able to get the out at home on the next play, but then Mattie Prodanovic walked to bring in the second run.
The Huskies added one more run in the fifth. Prodanovic drew her third walk of the game setting the stage for Annie Demas to hit a double for the RBI. In the seventh, Leyden leadoff with a double, but tough defense squashed any hopes of the Eagles getting back in the game. OPRF’s Aly Euler caught a well hit fly ball to center field, then the final two outs went to Demas at first base on a ground out and a fly out. The last out was dramatic for Demas as the ball bounced around her glove before she made the catch.
“I was pretty confident I was going to catch it,” said a relieved Demas.
Roadruck finished with seven strikeouts, and also contributed at the plate with two hits, a single and a double.
“It was a good team outing. Our offense really pulled through this game,” said Roadruck. “It’s nice to help myself out as a member of the team hitting-wise,” she laughed, referring to her two hits.
Demas finished with a single, a double and an RBI. She has been hitting well down the stretch. “I’ve been hitting better the past few weeks. I’ve worked on my batting stance,” she said.
The Huskies take on cross-town rival Fenwick today (Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.) at Lyons Township in the sectional semifinal. The Friars edged Lyons Township 2-1 to win its own regional on Saturday. Today’s winner may face Trinity in the sectional final on Saturday at 11 a.m. The Huskies hope to play in their own super-sectional this coming Monday at 4 p.m. The winner will head Downstate.
The defending state champs are looking primed and ready to keep playing and winning. “Any win at this stage of the season is a great win,” said OPRF coach Mel Kolbusz.