O'Hara Notches Impressive Start to Collegiate Career

The Newbury College softball team split a double-header with Cedar Crest College, Monday afternoon. The Nighthawks took the first game with a 9-2 win but fell in the back-end, 7-2.

Senior Katelyn Mark kicked off the 2010 softball season with a base hit and ignited the Nighthawk offense by swiping second for one of her two steals in the contest. Freshman Brittany Stracher lined a double to right to drive in Mark for the game’s first run. Mark led the offense going three for four and scoring two runs in the first game.

Freshman pitcher Katie O’Hara opened up the bottom of the first catching Cedar Crest’s Amy Stumpff looking at strike three. O’Hara jumped ahead in the count 0-2 but Stumpff would not give in, fouling off back to back pitches before surrendering for the first out of the inning. O’Hara had an impressive start to her collegiate career, pitching five solid innings and allowing just two runs – none earned – while scattering three hits and striking out six opposing batters.

After falling down two runs in the top of the first in the second game, Katelyn Mark led off the bottom of the frame with a bunt base hit down the third baseline. On the first pitch to Jessica Jordan, Mark got herself into scoring position with her third steal of the day and scored on a single by freshman Sarah Young. Young would come around to tie up the game on a base hit by O’Hara three batters later.  

The game remained tied at two until the top of the sixth when Cedar Crest scored four runs in the frame. They would pick up an additional run in the top to push the lead to five runs. Brianna Moran was three for four on the afternoon the second game with an RBI while starter Natalia Dial went the distance allowing two earned runs on seven hits while striking out eight to earn their first victory of the season.

The Nighthawks start the 2010 season at 1-1 while Cedar Crest falls to 1-3 on the season.