OSCODA - May 6, 2006 - The Oscoda softball team strung together its best performances of the season Saturday, May 6 at their home tournament, winning two games before falling to state-ranked Hillman in the tourney final. The Owls edged AuGres-Sims 10-9, the Alpena JV squad 15-14 and fell to the Tigers 16-6.

"(It was) another fun and exciting round of softball games," said Oscoda coach Jamie Samotis. "The girls came to play ball today, and that is just what they did.

"We are starting to have fun on offense and walk up to the plate with confidence. We also are laying down more successful bunts and sprinting around the bases to score."

The Owls got three hits from Dana Shugart in their one-run victory over AuGres-Sims. Shugart, Heather Patterson and Missy Bell each had two RBIs, and Patterson had a double. Riley Shelton was the winning pitcher.

In the second game, Oscoda outscorerd the JV squad from Class A Alpena 15-14. The Alpena JV has spent has played in several varsity tournaments against smaller schools this season.

Shelton was again the winner, splitting time with Shugart as each pitched for three innings. Shelton, Heather Spenceley, Lindsey Walker and Heather Patterson each had three hits, with Bell adding two. Patterson drove in four runs, with Walker and Laurie David adding three RBI's apiece. Spenceley had a double and Shelton hit a triple.

The Owls were stopped short of winning the tournament by Hillman, which was ranked sixth in the state in the previous week's Division 4 coaches' poll.

"We seemed to run out of gas against Hillman," Samotis said. "We lost communication and team unity in this game. Many girls had some good things happen but errors on defense cost us the game."

Patterson had a fourth-inning home run and drove in two runs, with David adding a double and two RBIs. Bell and Dana Kitchen had the Owls' other two hits.

Oscoda improved to 9-14 overall with their 2-1 tourney performance.