The Press Box

Hotmer led the Express offense in OCCAC play with a .360 batting average. He added 10 runs, 10 doubles, one triple, 17 RBIs and three stolen bases. This year marked Hotmer's second consecutive All-OCCAC honor.

Ward went 1-2 with a 4.01 ERA in OCCAC play. More impressively, he struck out 44 in 33.2 innings pitched as the team's top starter. On March 31, he struck out 12 in a no decision over eight innings against Lakeland CC, while he struck out 14 over seven innings against Lakeland on April 27. He added nine strikeouts against Cuyahoga CC on April 6.

Ruch was named the team's most valuable player. Hotmer also captured the team's outstanding offensive award and Dane Davis (Romeo, Mich.) was named the team's outstanding pitcher.

Although he finished 0-2, Ruch set the program's single season save record with seven, while leading the Express in ERA at 1.93. He struck out 13 in 14 innings pitched. Davis went 5-2 with a 3.21 ERA, while striking out 23 in 33.2 innings pitched.

In all games, Hotmer had a team-high .329 batting average to go along with 15 runs, 14 doubles, one triple, 24 RBIs and five stolen bases. ( — submitted by Owens SID Nick Huenefeld)

Graham in first class
Owens pitcher Kasey Graham (Clay) has signed a letter of intent to play for the Lourdes University softball team next season.

The sophomore pitcher will become a member of a Lourdes program that is set to begin its first year of existence.

"They have a great education program, and I wasn't ready to end my softball career," Graham said. "It's pretty neat that this will be the first ever women's softball team, and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be a part of that."

Graham finished her stellar career with the Express earlier this month. Just this past season, she posted a 13-1 record with a 2.12 ERA and 49 strikeouts. During her freshman year, she helped lead the team to an NJCAA D-II runner-up finish while posting a 5-0 record with a 2.32 ERA and 25 strikeouts.

Overall, Graham was 18-1 with a 2.16 ERA and 74 strikeouts in her two-year Express career. She was part of the most decorated sophomore class in Express softball history. In two years, they went 85-12 (44-5 in 2011 and 41-7 in 2012). The back-to-back 40 plus win seasons was a program first. Additionally, the Express won two OCCAC titles, one Region XII District G championship, and were the NJCAA D-II National Runner-Up in 2011. That was the highest finish of any women's sports team in Owens history.

Graham came to Owens following a stellar career at Clay where she was named First Team All-City League and First Team All-District her senior year. Also that year, while leading Clay to a Toledo City League championship, she started 18 games, went 15-3, pitched 135.1 innings, allowed only 23 earned runs, struck out 139 and finished with a 1.19 ERA.

As a junior, Graham was a Second Team All-Ohio selection, and helped lead her team to a regional final berth.

Lourdes will be coached by Jo Ann Gordon. The Gray Wolves are members of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference and the NAIA. ( — submitted by Owens SID Nick Huenefeld)

Materni first team
Lake pitcher Jake Materni was inadvertently not included in last week’s graphic of the

All-Press Team. He is a first team All-Press choice and will receive a certificate from Alan Miller Jewelers and The Press.

As a pitcher, Materni was 7-0 for the 24-4 Flyers with 1.92 ERA and batted .367 in league games. He is one of three all-first team Lake selections, joining Lake senior outfielders Josh Tantari and Corey Hotmer. The Press carries over all-league voting to its All-Press teams, so the results follow along the same lines.

Sports announcements
The No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Charger from the Sprint Cup Series is coming to Northwood Pennzoil, 3303 Woodville Road, next do Don’s Donuts, on June 19.

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The Eastwood girls’ basketball program will host a youth camp on June 22, from 4-7 p.m. at the high school. Cost is $20 and registration forms can be found in the high school main office, online at www.eastwoodschools.org on the high school activities page.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Ohio will hold its Ninth Annual Golf Event at Stone Ridge Golf Club, Bowling Green, Sept. 10. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and a shotgun tee time is noon. Registration is $125 by July 31, $150 afterwards. Contact Melva Powers at 419-354-2113 or bbbs2@wcnet.org.

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The annual Terra State Community College ladies golf outing will be July 9 at Sycamore Hills Golf Club. Proceeds go to the St. Francis Guild Scholarship Fund to assist female students at Terra. Fee is $55 per person. New this year is the Ohio LPGA Golf Professionals “Swing Like a Girl” Clinic. The clinic begins at 8 a.m., prior to the 9:45 a.m. shotgun start of the tournament. Clinic fee is $15 per golfer. Contact Ed Mayer, executive director of the Terra College Foundation, at 419-559-2263.

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The Second Annual Thanks for the Mammories Golf Outing benefiting the Northwest Ohio affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is July 28 at Heather Downs Country Club with an 8 a.m. registration and 9 a.m. shotgun start. Cost is $75 per individual or $300 per team. Contact Melissa Cogar at 419-245-4712 or cogar_2008@yahoo.com.

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The Ottawa River Athletic Boosters is having open registration for all boys that will be entering grades third through eighth for football registration. Sign-ups will be held at the Point Place Library, 2727 118th Street from 5 p.m.-7:30 pm. Call 419-290-1909.

Serenity Farm Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning Program will hold its Fifth Annual 2K/5K Fun Family Walk/Run fundraiser Sept. 15 starting in front of the Pemberville Fire Hall beginning with registration at 9 a.m., the 5K (3.1 miles) at 10 a.m. and 2K (1.2 miles) at 10:15 a.m. Cost is $5 for kids 10 years old or younger, $15 for all other participants. Visit www.SerenityFarm.org or call 419-833-1308.