OAKLEAF – Down 2-0 off field errors, Oakleaf High’s softball team went “Old School” and unleashed a barrage of run-scoring hits; a double from Baylee Goddard and a two-run homer from Angela Agurkis, to oust the visiting other Knights 8-2 Feb.15 at Oakleaf High’s newly-lit softball facility. Oakleaf moves to 2-0 with a 13-0 win over Middleburg on February 13.

In the top of the fourth, with the score still locked at 0-0, shortstop Kaylee Lambrecht, a sophomore, tried to glove a sharp hit through the 6-hole, but could not get a grasp to allow one Creekside run.

After Oakleaf left two baserunners stranded; Rebecca Koskey and Goddard after consecutive singles, the Knights’ bats went cold with three strikeouts ending the inning.

In the top of the fifth, pitcher Madi Davis walked Creekside’s Madi Brighton before Goddard scooped up a potential double play grounder and sliced a throw to second baseman Caitlynne Lamug who dropped the stinger to leave a baserunner on base. From there, Creekside managed a second run off bunts and a passed ball at home plate.

In the bottom of the fifth, after flyouts from Lamug and Destiny Pacetti, Katie Kistler managed a bunt to first aided by a second base error to set up a run-scoring single from lambrecht to score the game 2-1. Koskey returned to the batter’s box and, on a three balls/two strikes pitch, got a catcher’s error to set up a monster double from Goddard to left field that scored two more runs. Agurkis continued the assault with a massive homer that nearly made the hamburger grill outside the left field fence to end the inning at 5-2.

In the sixth, Oakleaf added two more runs off a Pacetti single and centerfield doubles from Kistler and Koskey.

In other action, Clay beat 6A rival Baker County 5-4 in both team’s openers. Three days later, Keystone Heights (2-1) knocked off the Blue Devils 2-0 behind shutout pitching from Megan Moncrief and a seventh inning two-run single from Ashleigh Jennings. Keystone Heights, behind a 3RBI night from Bailey Story, defeated P.K. Yonge 16-1 on Feb. 15. Story hit a two run triple in the second inning for a 6-1 Indians lead.

Middleburg (1-1) rebounded from their season opener loss to Oakleaf with a 4-1 win over Ocala Vanguard on February 16.

Fleming Island (1-1), with freshman Morgan Kendrick nailing 14 strikeouts, opened with a 3-2 loss to Creekside off two field errors followed by a 2-0 win over Orange Park. Kendrick punched out another 14 strikeouts against the Raiders.

St. Johns Country Day School won 10-0 over Peniel Baptist of Palatka in their season opener on February 15. Spartans pitcher Brianna Enter threw for the no-hit shutout. St. Johns scored six runs in the fourth inning with RBI hits from Enter, Natalie Burnsed, Bhealor Young and Gracie Arnett.