Freshmen impressive in debut as Athens sweeps Oxford
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
TROY — Troy Athens has been down in softball the past few years. There are some signs of hope for the Red Hawks.
With some key returnees and a highly-touted freshman class, Athens opened up the 2011 softball season with a 9-2, 16-1 OAA crossover sweep Wednesday over visiting Oxford, a team that won league and district titles a year ago.
“There’s no secret that we have been down,” said veteran coach Dave Marr. “But I really like the young kids we have coming up in the program. We have a lot of potential.”
MEETING AT THE PLATE: Troy Athens' Mary Grace Stark and several Red Hawks greet freshman Haley Zemmer after she ripped her first career home run in a win over Oxford. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt
Freshman pitcher Haley Zemmer gained a pair of wins on the mound, while she also homered in the first game for Athens (2-0).
“She’s going to be a good one,” smiled Marr. “She’s the first freshman we’ve ever had hit a ball over the fence here. And she’s a solid pitcher.
“I really like our freshman class,” continued Marr.”We have a couple of really good returnees and with the young girls we have, I think we have potential to be a good team.”
WINDING UP: Oxford's Hannah Rogers preps to fire this pitch Wednesday against Troy Athens. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt
Zemmer pitched a no-hitter in Game 1, and surrendered a pair of unearned runs due to a couple of errors. She allowed one hit in the second game, called due to the mercy rule after four innings.
“We have hardly been outside at all. Nobody has,” said Marr. “We have some things to tighten up. That will come”
Zemmer struck out eight in the opener and added a strikeout in Game 2.
Junior Melissa Palmer, already garnering plenty of college interest, was 3-for-3 and scored three runs in the opener. Zemmer had five RBI in Game 1.
FIRE IT: Troy Athens' Mary Grace Stark scoops up the ball and throws it towards first base during the Red Hawks' sweep of Oxford Wednesday. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt
In the nightcap, Palmer was 3-for-4 with a two-run double and drove in three runs total. Freshman Mary Grace Stark also had a pair of hits for Athens.
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Category: High School, Oxford, Prep Wraps, Troy Athens
