By NATHAN WHALEN
Special to the News-Times
Oak Harbor bounced back from a tough season opener to defeat Archbishop Murphy 6-0 during an away game March 14.
“It was a really fun outing to show what our kids are capable of,” coach Alicia Ashburn said.
Oak Harbor got on the scoreboard in the top of the second inning when senior Destiny Neal scored on an error.
The top of the third inning saw junior Loto Tupu hit a three-run homerun that scored junior Haylee Burleigh and junior Lilly Norman.
“That really shifted the energy for us in the game,” Ashburn said.
Sophomore Reese Wasinger hit a double that scored Neal and Ady Morales reached first base on an error that scored Jayda Paynter, Ashburn said.
Wasinger had four hits on four at-bats while freshman Mia Regan was 2-4.
“A lot of our kids put the ball in play,” Ashburn said.
Wasinger pitched a shutout against Archbishop Murphy throwing eight strikeouts while giving up three hits and one walk.
“Our defense was really strong today,” Ashburn said, adding that the players were ready for line drives.
“Ramona Ryder got a lot of action defensively at second,” Ashburn said.
Oak Harbor started its season hosting Cascade of Everett and losing 27-8.
While not the result she hoped for, Ashburn said “it’s nice to play against teams who play at a really high level.”
Cascade is 2-0 and competed at state in 2023.
“The kids kept their heads up,” Ashburn said, adding that the team had a great practice Wednesday before competing against Archbishop Murphy.
She added the players learned from the game and the scoreboard isn’t the final determining factor in how they feel about the game.
The game against Archbishop Murphy is the first of five consecutive away games. The Wildcats traveled to Granite Falls Saturday. Next week sees the softball team travels to Blaine March 20, Ferndale March 21, and Marysville Pilchuck March 23.
Oak Harbor’s next home game takes place Tuesday, March 26 against Lynden. Game time is 4 p.m.
Photo by John Fisken Oak Harbor pitcher Reese Wasinger throws against Cascade of Everett March 12 where the Wildcats lost 27-8 in the Wildcats opening game of the season. She followed that up pitching a shutout against Archbishop Murphy March 14 where Oak Harbor won 6-0.
