The softball team went to the state tournament on Thursday as the #3 seed, and that is how they would finish things out as well. On Thursday, the team took on #6 Central Heights in the final game of the opening round. The girls got behind early as Central Heights scored a run in the top of the 1st, but the Buffaloes evened things up in the bottom of the 3rd with a run of their own. Then in the bottom of the 5th, Onaga lit up the scoreboard with four runs to take a 5-1 lead. Central Heights would score one run in the 6th, but it wasn't enough as the Buffaloes moved on to the semifinals with a 5-2 win.
On Friday, the girls took on #2 seeded Cedar Vale/Dexter in the second semifinal game of the day. The Spartans scored one run in the second inning and two in the third to take a 3-0 lead, but Onaga would return the favor. In the top of the 5th they scored their first run of the game, then in the top of the 6th they knotted things up with two more to make it a 3-3 ball game. The 7th inning went scoreless, sending the game to extra innings. The Buffaloes would score a run in the top of the 8th to put the pressure on the Spartans, but they came back and scored two in the bottom of the frame to take a 5-4 win.
In the consolation game, Onaga bounced back quickly. Taking on #4 seeded Inman, the girls held the Teutons scoreless in the opening inning, then opened the flood gates in the bottom of the 1st. The Buffaloes amassed seven hits in the frame, six of which came with two outs, and put up eight runs to take a commanding early lead, 8-0. The only other runs came in the 6th inning, with Onaga coming out on top 10-3 to take home 3rd place.
The girls finished the year 21-5, the best record in the four years of varsity softball at Onaga. Returning 9 starters from this season, more success seems to be on the horizon.
Congratulations girls! GO BUFFALOES!!!
SOFTBALL TEAM PAGE
https://www.usd322.org/page/softball