HS Softball: Pirates Defeat Grundy Center 8-3, Enter Regional Play with Momentum

by Jeff Curley

The Hudson High School softball team traveled to Grundy Center on Monday, June 29, and picked up a quality NICL Conference win, defeating the Spartans 8-3. It was a complete team effort, as all aspects were firing — pitching, defense and offense. The Pirates built an 8-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning and closed out the game for the victory.

Junior Laynee Oldenburger picked up the pitching win with one of her best performances of the year. Laynee kept the Spartans off balance most of the game, allowing no walks while striking out four batters.

Sophomore Josie Messmore did a great job behind the plate, catching the game in extreme heat conditions. Josie has been a great catcher for us all season and executed a crucial bunt against the Spartans.
Offensively, there were many highlights as well.

Freshman Jordy Rhoades had three hits — a triple and two singles — while scoring two runs. Jordy continues to lead the team in hitting with a .387 batting average. Her leadership in center field has also been very valuable to our defense all season. Not only has she made great plays and not committed an error all season, but she also communicates with her teammates on every play.

Laynee Oldenburger also had three hits, all singles, and drove in two runs.
Eighth-grader Briar Bowers added three hits, all singles, and two RBIs as well. Briar has had a great first season on the varsity team and has become a very reliable bat in the lineup, hitting .352 while leading the team with 20 RBIs.
Freshman Hannah Chardoulias added two hits, including a single and a double. Hannah continues to develop as a consistent hitter in our lineup and has been solid defensively at first base. She has also been a great counter option to Oldenburger in the pitching circle all season and has had a great year.
Freshman Maci Ingles added a hit in the game but, more importantly, has anchored a very youthful infield with her leadership at shortstop all season. Maci’s first season playing the position has been marked by steady improvement and growth each game, and her defense has been a highlight all season.
Eighth-grader Lyza Van Dyke added a hit and continued to show defensive growth at third base, making a couple of great plays. Lyza’s growth, both offensively in her approach and defensively, has been great to see.

Freshman Laynie Tudor stepped up with a big two-RBI single in the sixth inning with two outs to extend the Pirate lead to 8-0. Laynie has continued to gain confidence as both a hitter and outfielder.

Eighth-grader Hayden Karkosh has also been a great addition to the middle infield at second base. Hayden’s development as both a hitter and defender has been a highlight this season.

Sophomore Olivia Ball, eighth-grader Flynn Heying and eighth-grader Abbey Strachan have all provided great energy for this team throughout the season.
Sophomore Alissa Leary, who unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury two days before our first game, has taken on a leadership role in the dugout and has been a great vocal leader for our younger roster. Alissa, an all-conference performer last year, is looking forward to being back next season. She has used this season to gain perspective from the dugout and further develop her leadership skills, which she has done so well.

The 13 girls on this roster have been so enjoyable to work with all season, and the coaching staff is extremely proud of each of them.
We hope to see everyone at the Hudson Softball Complex on Monday, July 6, at 7 p.m. as regional play begins against Nashua-Plainfield.

Go HUD!