•April 13, 2016•

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

Grace Harlin’s first varsity start of the year was pretty remarkable.

The Okaw Valley sophomore scattered four walks, four hits, and four strikeouts over five innings to earn the 20-0 shutout against Martinsville.

Freshman Madison Vogel’s bases loaded triple in the first inning started the merry-go-round for most runs scored by OVs 2016 squad.

Head coach Dave Benning praised the team effort after the win, “It was good to get a lot of kids in the lineup today contributing. I am very proud of the team not taking Martinsville lightly. Regardless of the score, not giving up on plays is a good quality to have for a young ball club.”

Harlin surrendered back to back singles in the top of the first before a changeup buckled the knees of Martinsville’s three hitter. The strikeout seemed to settle nerves as Harlin recorded back to back pop outs to exit the jam unscathed. Coach Benning complemented Harlin for clutch pitches in big spots after the win. “In the first inning all of a sudden we are first and second nobody out. She didn’t let down at all; came right back at the four, five, six hitters and got out of the jam.”     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.