by Parma Heights, OH- On an overcast afternoon at St John Bosco, the Namer offense was shining as they took care of North Olmsted 8-4. Before the contest, Holy Name Softball recognizes their two seniors Katie Majoros and Sami Zabak. As you’ll see, both Majoros and Zabak had senior nights to remember.
Reagan Vavro was on the mound for HN as she looked to regroup following a short outing at Padua Wednesday night. She started off on the right foot, striking out Jocelyn Suckart. Elena Scott then hit a double on the following at-bat. Aubrey Stephens threw out Lena Costello to earn the second out of the frame. Sami Zabak then threw across diamond to try and get the runner going for third. The throw was offline and sailed into the outfield, allowing the Eagles to score.
Scott began the bottom of the first on the bump in style as she struck out Emmalee Majoros and Stephens. With two outs, Zabak stepped up for her first cuts. As soon as she made contact with the ball, everyone knew the game was tied. She sent the ball flying over the left-field fence with plenty of room to spare. Heading into the second, the score was 1-1.
The Namer defense settled into the contest in the top of the second. Adriana D’Alessandro struck out to begin the frame. Then, Zabak caught a low liner hit by Amira Jak. Finally, Vavro struck out Audrey Schneid to retire the side. Vavro would get a base hit in the home half of the inning, but that would be the only action as Scott recorded two more strikeouts.
In the third, Vavro made quick work of North Olmsted as she struck out the side. Heading into the bottom half of the inning, the clouds became more prevalent. The skies subsequently opened, just with runs not rain. Stephens got the ball rolling with a one out single. Zabak followed this up with a walk.
With two away, both Stephens and Zabak tried to steal. The throw was almost in time but just missed. Katie Majoros made the Eagles pay as she hit an RBI single right after. On the following at-bat, Alli Orzech cranked the ball over the left field fence. If Zabak’s home run was a no-doubter, then this was scientific fact. Estimates put the distance at over 250 feet. After a few errant throws, HN left the third leading 6-1.
North Olmsted replied with two runs of their own in the top of the fourth. One run scored on a past ball. The other came on an RBI single from Jak with two outs. Scott and Costello each had base hits to begin the inning which set Jak up for the RBI. In the home half of the inning, Stephens singled and Zabak doubled to get things underway. Then, Bailey Garlow grounded out to shortstop. However, this scored Zabak after Stephens reached home on a wild throw. Heading into the fifth, the Namers led 8-3.
More heads-up baserunning led to North Olmsted scoring again in the fifth. What made this all the more impressive was that the Eagles had zero hits this frame. The only base runners were Suckart and Jenna Christner who both walked. In the home half of the inning, HN went in order with Scott adding two more strikeouts to her tally.
North Olmsted got close to scoring in the sixth, but a stretch from Zabak at first on a throw across diamond prevented any runs from counting. Speaking of Zabak, she would earn one final hit in the bottom of the sixth as she singled. Overall, she was a triple away from the cycle. The Namer defense did their job one final time in the 7th to clinch the 8-4 victory.
Holy Name hosts Beaumont tomorrow in a double header as they continue preparations for Springfield on Thursday. North Olmsted travels to take on Avon Lake tomorrow afternoon to close out the regular season.
North Olmsted Key Players
#15 Amira Jak: 1-3, RBI
#22 Lena Costello: 1-3
#23 Elena Scott: 2-2, Double, Walk, 6 IP, 9 K’s
Holy Name Key Players
#19 Aubrey Stephens: 2-4, SB
#20 Sami Zabak: 3-3, Double, RBI, HR
#24 Alli Orzech: 1-3, HR, 2 RBI
Player of the Game: Sami Zabak
Photo Credit: Holy Name Athletics Instagram
