August 05, 2024

Bulldogs blaze past Viqueens

By CHEYENNE ROCHE
Freshman Marissa Cass crosses home plate after her in-the-park home run in the third inning while teammate Carter Osbourne celebrates. The homer drove in runs from Osbourne and Ella Boswell.

Freshman Marissa Cass crosses home plate after her in-the-park home run in the third inning while teammate Carter Osbourne celebrates. The homer drove in runs from Osbourne and Ella Boswell. (CNA photos by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

ORIENT — The Bulldogs’ bats were on fire Wednesday in a home regional contest against the Stanton Viqueens (7-17).

Orient-Macksburg (15-11) took an 11-1 win in five innings to advance to Saturday’s region 3 semifinals against Martensdale-St. Marys (26-6).

The Bulldogs were consistent on offense, putting up three runs in the first, two in the second and three in both the third and fourth innings.

O-M senior Kasyn Shinn connects for a one-run double Wednesday in their regional opener against Stanton. The Bulldogs won 11-1 in five innings.

O-M senior Kasyn Shinn connects for a one-run double Wednesday in their regional opener against Stanton. The Bulldogs won 11-1 in five innings. (CNA photos by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

Junior Carter Osbourne went 2-3 at bat for two runs and four RBIs. Her double in the fourth drove in runs from seniors Kinsey Eslinger and Emily Campbell.

Freshman Marissa Cass had a thrilling in-the-park home run in the third, smoking the ball to right field to drive in runs from Osbourne and eighth-grader Ella Boswell. Cass flew around the bases to make it home for her first career home run.

The Bulldogs have 11 homers on the season, Emma Boswell leading with six.

Ella pitched a complete game, throwing four strikeouts and allowing only one hit and one run.

The Viqueens looked to rebound offensively, but the Bulldogs held them to three batters in each of the third, fourth and fifth innings.

Senior shortstop Kinsey Eslinger catches a fly ball.

Senior shortstop Kinsey Eslinger catches a fly ball. (CNA photos by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

O-M’s fielding crew was error-free, delivering on five caught balls and six ground outs to first baseman Campbell.

Senior shortstop Kinsey Eslinger catches a fly ball.

Senior shortstop Kinsey Eslinger catches a fly ball. (CNA photos by CHEYENNE ROCHE)

The Bulldogs finished fourth in the Bluegrass West, Ankeny Christian narrowly topping Murray for first place in the conference.

O-M faces a tough matchup Saturday as they face the No.1 rated Blue Devils. Martensdale-St. Marys won the Pride of Iowa conference and holds the top spot in the final IGHSAU softball rankings released Monday.

The Blue Devils defeated Lenox 10-0 Wednesday.

Saturday’s winner will advance to the regional championship against the winner of Griswold vs Fremont-Mills.

Cheyenne Roche

CHEYENNE ROCHE

Originally from Wisconsin, Cheyenne has a journalism and political science degree from UW-Eau Claire and a passion for reading and learning. She lives in Creston with her husband and their two little dogs.