Oak Grove barrage buries Wesleyan
Michael Lindsay | Enterprise Sports Writer
MIDWAY — Oak Grove let loose in its first game of the season — and its first in over a year.
The Grizzlies totaled 15 hits — mostly during two big innings — and raced past Wesleyan Christian 16-1 in three innings Monday in nonconference softball on Senior Night at Oak Grove.
“I think we showed up like we can,” Oak Grove coach Danielle DiLuzio said. “It was Senior Night, and I’ve got eight great seniors who’ve stepped up and shown a lot of leadership, which has been huge. So, I think that got us amped.
“This is my first class coming through, so I think they’re taking that to heart. They were really excited to get out here and, like I said, they’ve been great leaders.”
Carly White went 3 for 3 with three RBI while Julie Gadd went 3 for 3 with one RBI for the Grizzlies (1-0), who last year only had five games before play stopped on March 12.
Allie Johnston doubled, homered and drove in three runs, Emily Roumillat doubled, tripled and drove in one run, and Aliyah Compton singled twice and drove in two runs as Oak Grove quickly took control with its offense.
“We were absolutely stoked,” senior first baseman Kady Livesay said. “We were so excited to get on the field. We’ve been excited and pumped up every practice. It was great.
“I think this gives us a lot of confidence. I think we’ll go into conference play really strong, feeling confident and good.”
Lila Allred doubled and drove in a run for the Trojans (0-3), who totaled four hits for the game and led early with their one run in the top of the first. Chandler Deese also doubled, while Hailey Allred and Bella Dunning each added a hit.
But with such youth and inexperience — six of its 11 players are seventh-graders, and five are starters — Wesleyan had a difficult time stopping the Grizzlies once they gained momentum. But it’s a learning experience.
“The biggest thing for us is getting more reps, getting more experience, and hopefully we’ll build on this team,” Trojans coach Rick Chiavichien said. “We only have one senior (Dunning), so we should have everyone returning next year.”
Emily Bowen, a senior righty, got the win in the circle for Oak Grove, striking out two while walking none in three innings. Lila Allred, a left-handed seventh-grader took the loss for Wesleyan in 11/3 innings.
The Trojans scored their run in the top of the first on an RBI double by Lila Allred, but the Grizzlies quickly answered with run-scoring hits by Gadd and Roumillat to lead 2-1 in the bottom half.
Oak Grove, running through a lineup of speedy slappers and strong hitters who all seemed to connect well, totaled seven runs on eight hits in the second and seven runs on four hits in the third before the game ended on the mercy rule.
The Grizzlies play again Thursday at West Forsyth before opening Central Carolina 2A Conference play Monday at county rival Ledford. Wesleyan plays Friday at home against North Raleigh Christian before hosting Southwest Guilford on Monday.
mlindsay@hpenews.com | 336-888-3526 | @HPEmichael
Michael Lindsay | Enterprise Sports Writer
MIDWAY — Oak Grove let loose in its first game of the season — and its first in over a year.
The Grizzlies totaled 15 hits — mostly during two big innings — and raced past Wesleyan Christian 16-1 in three innings Monday in nonconference softball on Senior Night at Oak Grove.
“I think we showed up like we can,” Oak Grove coach Danielle DiLuzio said. “It was Senior Night, and I’ve got eight great seniors who’ve stepped up and shown a lot of leadership, which has been huge. So, I think that got us amped.
“This is my first class coming through, so I think they’re taking that to heart. They were really excited to get out here and, like I said, they’ve been great leaders.”
Carly White went 3 for 3 with three RBI while Julie Gadd went 3 for 3 with one RBI for the Grizzlies (1-0), who last year only had five games before play stopped on March 12.
Allie Johnston doubled, homered and drove in three runs, Emily Roumillat doubled, tripled and drove in one run, and Aliyah Compton singled twice and drove in two runs as Oak Grove quickly took control with its offense.
“We were absolutely stoked,” senior first baseman Kady Livesay said. “We were so excited to get on the field. We’ve been excited and pumped up every practice. It was great.
“I think this gives us a lot of confidence. I think we’ll go into conference play really strong, feeling confident and good.”
Lila Allred doubled and drove in a run for the Trojans (0-3), who totaled four hits for the game and led early with their one run in the top of the first. Chandler Deese also doubled, while Hailey Allred and Bella Dunning each added a hit.
But with such youth and inexperience — six of its 11 players are seventh-graders, and five are starters — Wesleyan had a difficult time stopping the Grizzlies once they gained momentum. But it’s a learning experience.
“The biggest thing for us is getting more reps, getting more experience, and hopefully we’ll build on this team,” Trojans coach Rick Chiavichien said. “We only have one senior (Dunning), so we should have everyone returning next year.”
Emily Bowen, a senior righty, got the win in the circle for Oak Grove, striking out two while walking none in three innings. Lila Allred, a left-handed seventh-grader took the loss for Wesleyan in 11/3 innings.
The Trojans scored their run in the top of the first on an RBI double by Lila Allred, but the Grizzlies quickly answered with run-scoring hits by Gadd and Roumillat to lead 2-1 in the bottom half.
Oak Grove, running through a lineup of speedy slappers and strong hitters who all seemed to connect well, totaled seven runs on eight hits in the second and seven runs on four hits in the third before the game ended on the mercy rule.
The Grizzlies play again Thursday at West Forsyth before opening Central Carolina 2A Conference play Monday at county rival Ledford. Wesleyan plays Friday at home against North Raleigh Christian before hosting Southwest Guilford on Monday.
mlindsay@hpenews.com | 336-888-3526 | @HPEmichael
