OVAC Players Come Up Big in North-South
Five area young ladies had a chance to salvage a little of their senior softball seasons. John Marshall’s Mack Hall and sisters Anna and Abby Blake along with Brooke’s Rachel Kazmirski and Haley Birmingham were selected to play in the North-South softball all-star games held Thursday in Buffalo. Region 1 coach Levi Bender of Buckhannon-Upshur took 18 players to Buffalo. He opted to play one set of nine the entire first game, the other set for the final game. All five OVAC girls took part in the semifinal round against Region 2 and their efforts led the North to a 2-0 win. Every major play, every run scored, an OVAC player had her hand in it in some fashion. For a reason that doesn’t always get the same level of attention as others statewide, it made it all the sweeter. “All the JM girls, even before high school, we played travel ball against one another, we’ve always been opponents,” Kazmirski said. “So, to be able to share this moment with them, to play with that talent, it was awesome. “And to represent the OVAC it was amazing.” Brooke's Rachel Kazmirski gave up a leadoff single, but finished with 10 strikeouts in a 5-inning shutout.Abby Blake readies to fire to first for an out.John Marshall's Mack Hall secures the ball, and an out, in her glove at first. An Unrepresentative Start Kazmirski led the charge. The Marietta College signee struck out 10 batters and held Region 2 scoreless through the game’s five innings. Read the full article
