Softball: Oak Park’s Rice dominating the competition
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No one should be surprised Oak Park pitcher Julia Rice is once again dominating Tri-Valley League opponents, but I’m sure even her teammates and coaches were a little surprised by her performance on Thursday afternoon.
Fresh off a 15-strikeout performance against Nordhoff in the Eagles’ league opener on Tuesday, Rice struck out a school-record 21 batters over eight innings in Oak Park’s 1-0 victory over St. Bonaventure.
Still, none of this should come as too much of a surprise. Rice is definitely one of the best pitchers in the region and she could be the best junior pitcher in the region -- although Hart‘s Destiny Rodino is pretty darn talented, too. Through 43 2/3 innings, Rice has posted a .160 ERA and has struck out 90. She’s also surrendered only nine hits and has six shutouts in eight games.
If Rice can continue her dominant ways, I think Oak Park will outlast defending league champion Oaks Christian for the Tri-Valley League title.
-- Austin Knoblauch
