Oxford pounds out 13 hits in shutout over Henderson
WEST CHESTER>>As hot as the Oxford bats were, the defense was just as impressive. The Hornets pounded out 13 hits on the afternoon, and the defense made just about every play they had a chance on as Oxford (5-4, 1-2 American) blanked host Henderson (3-5, 1-3 National), 4-0 in a Ches-Mont crossover game on a sunny Wednesday afternoon.
“In the Ches-Mont, any win is a good win,” said Oxford coach Josh Socash.”This was our most sound game defensively in the past couple of years. I’m really proud of the effort the girls gave today.”
The defense was called on quite a bit over the course of the game. Oxford starter Cecelia Figueroa was the model of efficiency, picking up the four-hit, shut-out win while only striking out one Warrior hitter all afternoon. More importantly, Figueroa did not issue a base on balls. The defense recorded the other 20 outs, and was not charged with a single error all day.
“CeCe is not going to overpower you,” said Socash. “When she’s able to hit her spots, get her spins going and limit the walks, that’s all we ask of her. And the defense made the plays behind her.”
For Figueroa, it’s all about total team effort.
“It was amazing how well we played today,” said Figueroa. “I have so much confidence in this team that they will make the plays behind me. Honestly, we’re getting stronger every game, and are just having so much fun playing softball together.”
The Hornets got on the board with a three-run third. McKenna Frank (3-4, 2B, R) got things going with a one-out single, and moved up sixty feet when Natalia Donofrio (4-4, R, 3 bunt singles) followed with a single of her own. Ashley Flynn was up next, and delivered with an RBI single to plate Frank.
After Hannah Akers brought home Donofrio with an RBI ground out, Angela Beadle (2-4, 2B, RBI) scored Flynn when she ripped a double to right center.
“We had just turned a three-up, three-down inning on defense, and had all kinds of energy when we came up to bat,” said Beadle. “I saw a pitch I liked, and just swung as hard as I could. I think we all pick each other up and have a ton of confidence in each other. It would be amazing to finish the year off on a high note with post season.”
In the following inning, Henderson starter Annaleise McCubbin reached a personal milestone, picking up the whiff on Flynn for the 100th strikeout of her career, and one of four on the day.
“Annaleise is such a good kid and works so hard,” said Henderson coach Chris Hessler. “She really just shows up and does her job every day. She’s just a great all-around athlete, and I couldn’t be happier to see her get her 100th strikeout.”
The Hornets tacked on an insurance run in the sixth. Emily Bisilio reached on a one-out error to get the inning going, and moved up to third when Frank doubled to the new fence on Henderson’s field in center. Flynn brought Basilio home with a sacrifice fly to deep center.
Oxford is currently ranked fourth in District 1, Class 5A, and is playing its best softball of the year. The Hornets lost a couple of tight games to the two division leaders, Rustin and Downingtown West, and with this win, got over the hump. Notably, they are starting to believe in themselves.
“We lost 5-3 to West on their home field, and 9-6 to Rustin, so we are playing tough against good teams,” said Socash. “Now we beat a good team in Henderson. There’s still a lot of softball to be played, and we can only take things one game at a time, but this team is beginning to realize we can play with anyone and we’ll be right there in the end.”
OXFORD 003 001 0—4
HENDERSON 000 000 0—0
WP—Figueroa LP—McCubbin
2B—(OX) Frank, Beadle (HEN) Nanni
